CANT Z.501 “Gabbiano” IX Serie 44 Idro.

ImportantSimone5 · February 27, 2024, 11:14pm

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CANT Z.501 “Gabbiano” IX Serie 44 Idro.

History.

The CANT Z.501 “Gabbiano” 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.
This specific version of the idroplane was contstructed by the S.A. Aeronautica Sicula.

Armaments and propulsion.

The aircraft was armed with 2 7.7 mm Breda-SAFAT 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 XI R2 C15 engine, with 900 hp of maximum power.

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 XI R2 C15, 900 hp
Propellers: 3-bladed metal propeller
Maximum speed: 275 km/h
Range: 999km
Ferry range: 2,398 km
Armament: 2x 7.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns
Bombs: up to 640 kg bombs carried externally

Pictures and drawnings.

Spoiler