Designed as a fighter, the Ansaldo SVA found a role as a reconnaissance aircraft, having very good performance and long range. Piloted by Gino Allegri, 11777 took part in a famous leaflet raid to Vienna on 9 August 1918. The SVA.5 was a single-seater but a two-seat SVA.9 carried the inspirator of the raid, the nationalist and poet Gabriele D'Annunzio.