CANT Z515

Il_Signor_Regio · May 13, 2024, 8:35pm

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Description: The CANT Z515 was an Italian twin-engine floatplane of the interwar period. In 1937, the Italian engineer Filippo Zappata proposed to the Regia Aeronautica a new light bomber based on the new CANT Z1018 that was still in development. The Regia Aeronautica refused the propal and instead asked Zappata to redesign the aircraft to fulfill a reconfiguration role to replace the older CANT Z501. The new aircraft was designed to be a small twin-engine reconnaissance floatplane equipped with two big floats under the fuselage. The engines chosen were the Isotta Fraschini Delta R.C.35 with 700 hp each, due to their small size. The defensive armaments were composed of two 12.7 mm machineguns and two 7.7 mm machineguns. Regarding the bomb payload, the aircraft was capable of carrying up to 6 x 100 kg bombs. In 1939, the first wood prototype was ordered, and like the Z1018, the production units were meant to be made out of steel. It made its first flight in 1940, and some months later it was sent to the Italian hydroscale of Vigna di Valle for further tests. The various pilots that tested it were satisfied with its performances, and the trials with the defensive weapons selected proved to be successful. After those promising results, the Regia Aeronautica placed an Italian order for 52 units, later raised to 118 units. Japan also acquired the license to produce the aircraft in 1941, but no units were created for the Japanese Air Force. But in 1942, the development of the aircraft got delayed, which caused the cancellation of all previous orders for more important bombers such as the Z1007 and Z1018. In 1943, only 3 units were operational, and some others were around 80% finished. When the armistice arrived, the Germans seized the units and tried to complete as many as possible, but most of the unfinished units were destroyed in an allied raid, and the first three units were dismantled. After the end of the war, none survived.

Why it should be in game: It could be a good addition to the Italian low tier as Italy is missing all it’s Hydroplanes

Specifications

Riepilogo

Engine: 2x Isotta Fraschini Delta RC 35
Power: 700 hp at 3,500 m.
Wingspan: 22.50 m
Total length: 16.29 m
Total height: 5.84 m
Wing surface area: 63.00 m2
Empty weight: 6,390 kg
Maximum loaded weight: 8,640 kg
Maximum speed: 382 km/h at 4,300 m
Cruising speed: 304 km/h
Maximum ceiling: 7,200 m
Autonomy: 1,900 km
Armament:
1x Breda safat 12.7 mm machinegun
1x Scotti 12.7 mm machinegun
2x breda safat 7.7 mm machinegun
6x 100 kg bombs