- Yes
- No
Description: The CANT Z.1018 was an Italian all-metal medium bomber. The story of the aircraft started back in 1938, when the Regia Aereonautica started a competition for a new medium bomber, but after a year, there was still no winner. At this point, the CDRA (Cantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico) decided to get into the competition, proposing the CANT Z.1015B. The Regia Aereonautica ordered a total of 32 units, but with a condition, the structure of the aircraft should have been more durable. This requirement changed the whole project; from a single engine, the engines became two Alfa Romeo 135 RC.34, and the name was changed to CANT Z.1018. The first prototype flew on November 9, 1939. The Regia Aeronautica showed interest in the new aircraft, and they replaced the previous order of 32 CANT Z.1015B with 32 CANT Z.1018. Meanwhile, some problems with the engine were resolved. The installed engine, the Alfa Romeo 135 RC.34, started to have overheating problems, so It was decided to’ replace it with the more reliable Piaggio P.XII RC.35 Tornado. The installation of the new engine required five additional months, and the prototype was able to take off again only on March 9, 1940. In October 1940, the Regia Aeronautica increased the order to 100 units, and the program was transferred to the Test facility of Vigna Di Valle, where the aircraft stayed until 1941 for tests. The Regia Aeronautica also asked for 10 more additional units made of wood for testing, and the First One took off on May 25, 1942. The wood series was used mainly for torpedo launching tests and to train the crews for the Metal variant. Another important mention Is that this variant was equipped with the more powerful Piaggio P.XV RC.15/60 Uragano. But we Will talk more about this variant in another suggestion. Returning on the normal one, June 18, 1942. The interesting part Is that the First units were used as prototypes for new variants like the Night Fighter (for info, there Is already a suggestion), the Torpedo/Naval Attack variant (equipped with the Italian Naval search radar Arghetto), and for testing more engines, the Fiat A83 and the Same Piaggio engine of the Wood Series. Of the 100 units, 28 were completed, and the rest were started. The majority of them were destroyed by allied bombers inside the factories. A lot of other variants were projected (Anty tank, Dive bomber, long range and night altitudine bomber, and others), but only the previously mentioned variants were made (mostly in 1 unit).
Why It should be in the game:
Since It was the CANT Z.1007 replacement, It Will fit perfecetly between the last Z.1007 and the First P108.
Specifications:
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Length: 17.60m
Wingspan: 22.50m
Height: 6.10m
Wing surface: 63.10 m²
Empty weight: 8800 kgs
Max take-off weight: 11500 kgs
Fuel capacity: 1120 L
Propulsion: 2x Piaggio P.XII R.C. 35
Power: 1350hp each engine
Max speed: 525 km/h
Autonomy: 1335km
Tangency: 8500 m
Weapons:
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1x 12.7 mm Breda Safat machinegun frontally
1x 12.7 mm Breda Safat dorsal machinegun (same turret as Z.1007 and FC20)
1x 12.7 mm Breda Safat machinegun in the real
2x 7.7 mm Breda Safat machinegun in the side
A total of 1550 kg of bombs
Sources:
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CANT Z.1018 - Wikipedia
https://www.aeronautica.difesa.it/2022/12/22/cant-z-1018/
CANT Z.1018 Leone Bomber - Comando Supremo
https://www.lasecondaguerramondiale.org/aerei/regia-aeronautica/572-cant-z-1018.html
CANT Z.1018 Leone
CANT Z.1018 Leone
Pictures:
