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. 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. 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. This feat was followed by
torpedo-launching experiments. The M.24 saw extensive use with the Italian Navy, and several were purchased by the Spanish Navy, which made an extensive use of them during the
Rif War, particularly in the
Alhucemas landing. 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 Italiana'' flew these on its
Brindisi-
Athens-
Constantinople route, and
SITAR operated them on routes in the Mediterranean as well. ==Operators==