CANT Z.506 Airone

The CANT Z.506 was designed as a 12 to 14-seat transport twin-float floatplane; it was initially powered by three Piaggio Stella P.IX radial engines, each one capable of producing up to . It was derived from the larger and heavier Z.505 seaplane. On 19 August 1935, the prototype performed its maiden flight. During 1936, the initial production variant of the aircraft, the Z.506A, entered quantity production; in comparison to the prototype, the initial production model was furnished with more powerful Alfa Romeo 126 RC.34 nine cylinder radial engines, which produced up to typically as well as a maximum output of 780 CV on takeoff and 750 CV at 3,400 meters. The aircraft was produced at the "Cantieri Riuniti dell 'Adriatico" and "Cantiere Navale Triestino" (CRDA CANT) factories in Monfalcone and Finale Ligure respectively. Demand for the Z.506 was quickly proved to be large enough that another Italian aircraft manufacturer, Piaggio, also established a production line for the type under licence. The Z.506A entered service with its launch customer, the Italian airline Ala Littoria, which routinely flew the type on its various routes across the Mediterranean. Between 1936 and 1938, the Z.506A set a number of altitude, speed and distance records for its class (mainly while being flown by Mario Stoppani), including speeds of over and over , and over . It subsequently flew in a closed circuit. It carried a load of to and to . During the latter half of the 1930s, CANT were keen to capitalise on the aircraft's success. Accordingly, an enlarged version of the Z.506A, designated as the Z.509, underwent development during this time. Following the completion of 15 Z.506As for Ala Littoria, CANT reoriented towards the production of a militarised model that was internally designated as the Z.506B. Unlike the civil-focused Z.506A, the Z.506B was furnished with a large vertically-orientated gondola which accommodated a bomb bay, position for a bombardier, and a rear-facing ventral defensive gun. During January 1943, the final Z.506B was constructed by Piaggio; by this point, in excess of 320 aircraft of the model has been completed. ==Operational history==

The first combat use of the Z.506B was as a reconnaissance aircraft and torpedo bomber during the Spanish Civil War. Upon Italy's entry into the Second World War on 10 June 1940, 97 aircraft were operational with two Stormi da Bombardamento Marittimo (sea bombing units) and some Squadriglia da Ricognizione Marittima. beach in Sicily, November 1943 Throughout 1940 and 1941, the type was used extensively in both France and Greece. On 17 June 1940, the Z.506 saw its first action, one day after a flight of French bombers had attacked Elmas base, killing 21 airmen and destroying multiple Z.501s. On the evening of 17 June, four Z.506Bs from 31° Stormo attacked targets in French North Africa, each dropping two 250 kg and three 100 kg bombs. A special air-sea rescue version, the Z.506S Soccorso, was produced; it was operated in small numbers by the Luftwaffe. The air-sea rescue Z.506s suffered severe losses as many Allied pilots did not stop attacking them even after they had spotted the red crosses. For instance, on 12 June 1942, off Malta, a Hawker Hurricane from 46 Squadron shot down a Z.506, then shot another one down which had been sent to rescue the crew of the first. Sergeant Etchells, in 249 at Malta recalled: Among the Allies, the Z.506 gained considerable fame for it being the only aircraft to have been hijacked by prisoners of war (POWs) on the Western Front (it was then used by the RAF from Malta). Occasionally, the CANT Z.506s managed to shoot down the Allied aircraft that attacked them. On 7 January 1943, a "recce" seaplane from 188ª Squadriglia was attacked on the Mediterranean by two Bristol Blenheim. While pilot Maresciallo Ambrogio Serri headed for Sardinia, Armiere Pietro Bonannini with five bursts of shots from the 12.7 mm machine gun, managed to hit a first Blenheim, that ditched in the sea. Then, the second Blenheim closed on the CANT, strafing it. Bonannini was wounded but he managed to hit the enemy aircraft, that veered and fell overboard. Bonannini, during the war was awarded three Medaglie d'Argento al Valore Militare and a Medaglia di bronzo al Valor Militare. When Italy surrendered to the Allies, on 8 September 1943, about 70 CANT Z.506s were still in service with the Italian Air Force. About 30 surviving Z.506S were assimilated into Allied forces, Numerous aircraft survived the conflict intact and continued to be routinely used during the early postwar years, some of which remained in active service until 1959. Accordingly, the Z.506 saw more than 20 years of service. ==Variants==

markings ;Z.506 :Prototype, one built. ;Z.506A :Civil version ;Z.506B :Military version, 314 built. ;Z.506C :Civil version, 38 built. ;Z.506S :Air-sea rescue version ;Z.506 Landplane :One aircraft was converted to a landplane for an attempt by Mario Stoppani on an endurance record. It did not take place due to bad weather. ;Z.509 :A larger and heavier version of the Z.506B, three built. ==Operators==

airmen near Greece, 1945 ; • Luftwaffe (captured) ; • Ala Littoria • Regia Aeronautica • Regia Marina • Aviazione Legionaria • Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force ; • Polish Air Force received one aircraft out of six ordered. This was destroyed during the German Invasion of Poland. • Aviazione Navale Italiana ==Surviving aircraft==

The only surviving CANT is a Z.506B that was produced during 1941. Faithfully restored, it belongs to the 15th lot and has the construction number MM.45425. It was tested by Nicolò Lana on 19 December 1941, and registered with the number 84-4. It was delivered on 12 January 1942, and assigned to the 186ª Squadriglia, based in Agusta, Sicily, and carried out its first mission on 12 January 1942. It is exhibited at the Italian Air Force Museum (''Museo Storico dell'Aeronautica''), in Vigna di Valle, near Bracciano, north of Rome. ==Specifications (Z.506B Series XII)==