Macchi M.24
| M.24 | |
|---|---|
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| Role | Flying boat bomber |
| National origin | Italy |
| Manufacturer | Macchi |
| First flight | 1924 |
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The Macchi M.24 was a flying boat produced in Italy during the 1920s. Originally intended as a bomber, it was eventually produced for civilian use as well.[1][2] The M.24 resembled a scaled-up version of earlier Macchi flying boat bombers such as the M.9 and M.18, sharing their biplane configuration and Warren truss-style interplane struts. However, while these earlier aircraft were single-engine types, the M.24 had twin engines mounted in a tractor-pusher pair on struts in the interplane gap.[1][2] Also like the M.18, it featured an open position in the bow for a gunner, but added a second such position amidships as well.[1][2]
Two M.24s made a demonstration flight in 1925 from Macchi's home on Lake Varese, crossing the Alps to Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Leningrad and home again.[1] This feat was followed by torpedo-launching experiments.[2] The M.24 saw extensive use with the Italian Navy, and several were purchased by the Spanish Navy.[2]
A civil version with equal-span wings was developed in 1927 as the M.24bis. This featured an enclosed cabin within the forward hull that could seat eight passengers. Aero Espresso flew these on its Brindisi-Athens-Constantinople route,[1] and SITAR operated them on routes in the Mediterranean as well.[2]
Operators
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Variants
- M.24 - initial production version - sesquiplane with Fiat A.12 engines
- M.24bis - equal-span version with Lorraine-Dietrich or Isotta-Fraschini Asso engines, produced in both military and civil subtypes
- M.24ter - military sesquiplane version with Isotta-Fraschini Asso engines
Specifications (M.24ter)
Data from World Aircraft Information Files File 901 Sheet 02
General characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Length: 14.63 m (48 ft 0 in)
- Wingspan: 22.00 m (72 ft 2 in)
- Height: 4.65 m (15 ft 3 in)
- Empty weight: 3,730 kg (8,223 lb)
- Gross weight: 5,500 kg (12,125 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Isotta Fraschini Asso 500, 380 kW (510 hp) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 185 km/h (115 mph)
- Range: 700 km (435 miles)
- Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,000 ft)
Armament
- 1 × 7.7 mm (.303 in) Vickers machine gun in open position in bow
- 1 × 7.7 mm (.303 in) Vickers machine gun in open position amidships
- 800 kg (1,874 lb) of bombs
See also
- Related lists
- List of Interwar military aircraft
- List of seaplanes and flying boats
Notes
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Macchi M.24. |
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
- World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing.
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