CANT Z.501

Guns: 3× 7.7 mm (0.303 in) machine guns
Bombs: 640 kg (1,400 lb)

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Z.501 Gabbiano

CANT Z.501 on the shore with beaching gear.
Type	Patrol aircraft
Manufacturer	Cantiere Navali Triestino
Maiden flight	1934
Status	Retired
Primary users	Regia Aeronautica Aviazione Nazionale Repubblicana Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force
Number built	>200

The CANT Z.501 Gabbiano (Italian: Gull) was a single engine flying boat that served with the Italian Regia Aeronautica during World War II. It had a crew of four or five and was used mainly for reconnaissance. The prototype flew in 1934. During the 1930s, it set several long distance flight records. Production of the Z.501 began in 1935. When Italy entered the Second World War in 1940, over 200 examples were in service. They patrolled for shipping in the Mediterranean as well as performing air-sea rescue operations. Following Italy's surrender in 1943, a few of these flying boats continued to fly with the Italian Social Republic and the Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force.

[edit] Specifications (Z.501)

Data from The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II^[1]

General characteristics

Crew: 4-5
Length: 14.30 m (46 ft 11 in)
Wingspan: 22.50 m (73 ft 9¾ in)
Height: 4.40 m (14 ft 6 in)
Wing area: 62 m² (670 ft²)
Empty weight: 3,850 kg (8,490 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 7,050 kg (15,300 lb)
Powerplant: 1× Isotta Fraschini Asso XI RC2C.15 liquid-cooled V12 engine, 900 hp (671 kW)