- Yes
- Maybe
- No
History.
The Cant Z.501 was created by the C.R.D.A. company in collaboration with CANT to respond to the specifications issued in 1933 by the Ministry of Aeronautics to equip the Regia Aeronautica with a new multi-role seaplane to replace the Savoia-Marchetti S.78, which was about to retire due to seniority.
Engineer Filippo Zappata was commissioned for the project, his first of many assignments. Despite having created the project and the prototype of the vehicle in a very short time, it prevailed over the competing project presented by the Macchi company, the Macchi M.C.77, which was followed by a large order for a large number of examples from the Ministry of Aeronautics Italian. The aircraft was immediately included in the ranks and was used immediately with anti-ship, anti-submarine and rescue maritime reconnaissance tasks, and despite their very advanced age the aircraft that survived the conflict remained in use even after the end of the Second World War for a few years before the final dismantling and scrapping of the remaining specimens.
Armaments and propulsion.
The aircraft was armed with 3 7.7 mm Lewis machine guns in various positions. Furthermore, the aircraft could load up to 4 160 kg anti-submarine bombs.
Moving on to the engine aspect, the plane was powered by an Isotta Fraschini Asso 750R engine with 940 HP of power, which allowed the plane to reach a maximum speed of 275 km/h.
Specifications.
Spoiler
Crew: 5
Length: 14.3 m
Wingspan: 22.5m
Height: 4.4 m
Wing area: 62.00 m2
Maximum weight: 7,050 kg
Engine: 1x Isotta Fraschini Asso 750R, 940 hp
Propellers: 3-bladed metal propeller
Maximum speed: 275 km/h
Range: 999km
Ferry range: 2,398 km
Armament: 3x 7.7 mm Lewis machine guns
Bombs: up to 640 kg bombs carried externally
Pictures and drawnings.
(The photos are generic and not all of this specific version of the aircraft.)
Sources.
Spoiler
https://www.lasecondaguerramondiale.org/aerei/regia-aeronautica/577-cant-z-501.html
CANT Z.501 Gabbiano - Wikipedia
https://www.marina.difesa.it/noi-siamo-la-marina/mezzi/mezzi-storici/Pagine/aviazione/crda_gabbiano.aspx
ITALERI - CANT. Z. 501
CANT Z.501 (Gabbiano) – Gallinaro
CANT Z.501 - Wikipedia
CANT Z.501 Gabbiano (Gull) Reconnaissance Flying Boat Aircraft
https://ww2db.com/aircraft_spec.php?aircraft_model_id=198
https://www.gd15.it/i-pittoreschi-soprannomi-del-cant-z-501-gabbiano-negli-stemmi-delle-squadriglie-rm/
CANT Z.501 GABBIANO · The Encyclopedia of Aircraft David C. Eyre
https://www.cmpr.it/MN%20-%20Nomenclatore%20Cant.501%20-FC/nom.Cant.501.htm
https://www.cmpr.it/MN%20-%20Manuale%20Cant.501%20-FC/man.Cant.501.htm
