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Description: The CANT Z506B was an Italian triple-engine floatplane from the thirties. The aircraft was initially designed as a civil floatplane by the Italian engineer Filippo Zappata in the 1930s. on August 19, 1935, and it entered mass production just one year later. The first version to enter service was designed as the Z506A, a civil version capable of carrying a total of 14 passengers inside. The first user was Ala Littorio (the biggest Italian air travel company of that time), who used it in a good number of units from the start of its existence. The second version was the military one (revealed after the first 15 serial units), designated Z506B. This version featured one 12.7 mm Breda Safat machinegun on a turret on the top and two lateral 7.7 mm Breda Safat machineguns, for a total of 1200 kg of bombs. It saw its first war in 1937, during the Spanish Civil War, where it was used mainly for scouting and as a torpedo/medium-level bomber. The Z506B in the Second World War was used mainly in the Mediterranean as a reconnaissance aircraft. It was used in every major naval battle, and it proved to be a very useful and reliable recon/light bomber aircraft. It suffered various losses from the allied fighters, even if, in some cases, it was able to defend itself from the attackers (despite not having great defensive armor). Like what happened on January 7, 1943, when an Italian Z506B was able to shoot down two Blenheims that were trying to shoot it down. In the same year, the aircraft tested one of the Italian secret weapons, the Torpedine Osciallante Elia Freri. This sea mine was able to swing and stabilize between 3 and 7 meters of depth. It was a very efficient weapon since it was not visible from the surface, and it was able to damage the inferior part of the hull, one of the most vulnerable parts of a ship. The Armistice signed the end of this weapon development. At the end of the war, the Regia Aereonautica still had in service over 70 units that were operative. They were also used by the Aereonautica cobelligerante (in 30 units) and the Germans. Some Z506B survived the war and remained in service until 1959 with the Italian Air Force.
Why it should be in game: Since Italy has only of the one hydroplane in game currently, this one could be a good addition at a low br in the main bomber line.
Specifications
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Armaments
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Machineguns:
2x 7.7 mm Breda Safat Machinegun
1x 12.7 mm Breda Safat Machinegun
Bombs:
up to 1200 kg of bombs
Sources
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CANT Z.506, Airone
CANT Z.506 - Wikipedia
https://www.gd15.it/la-nostra-vita/chi-siamo/pillole-di-storia/il-cant-z-506-b-s/
https://www.marina.difesa.it/noi-siamo-la-marina/mezzi/mezzi-storici/Pagine/aviazione/crda_airone.aspx
Cant Z 506 Airone ::: http://fandavion.free.fr
Prototipi e progetti della Regia Aeronautica - Daniele Lembo - Libro - IBN - Icaro moderno. Professionale e storica | Feltrinelli
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