Cant Z. 501 was made after the renewal of a factory called Cantiere Navale Triestino that after this renewal was named Cantieri Riuniti dell' Adriatico ( CRDA ). So Filippo Zappata started in this new project called CRDA Cant Z. 501" Gabbiano ", a reconaissance and bomber seaplane for long raids. It was made in wood with a aeroplane fabric covering for the top of the central fuselage, on the tail and on the top of the wing. The installed engine was an Isotta Fraschini Asso XI of 882 HP ( 900 CV ) that gave the power at a propeller with in wood or in metal. The engine was installed over the fuselage and inside a box where a engineer setted down. In this place was also installed a minigun of 7.7 mm that together at other miniguns installed in the top back of the fuselage and beyond the pilot' cockpit, gave the protection from the enemy planes. Also a load of bombs could be carried, exactly 1408 lb ( 640 Kg ) of bombs . First of february 1934 was the day of the first flight of Cant Z. 501 and October 18th of the same year, the CANT chief test pilot, Mario Stoppani signed a world record for seaplanes flying from Monfalcone, ( Gorizia - Italy ) to Massahua, Erithrea after a flying of 2565 mi ( 4130 km ). Following this success, France did a new world speed record for seaplanes but , again, Mario Stoppani with his Cant Z 501 did a new record flying for 3078 mi ( 4957 km ) to British Somalia on July 16th 1935. In the 1937, CANT Z. 501 enterd in service with the Royal Italian Air Force and were two hundred the examples that served inside the Royal Italian Air Force equipping seventeens flights and four squadrons. A little number of CANT Z. 501 served also with the Rumania and the production of this nice plane well appreciated from the crews finished in the 1943 with a number of 454 examples.

CANT Z 501 : VARIANTS

Cant Z. 501 : one version. See technical features written below

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Cant Z. 501

Primary Function

:

Seaplane for reconnaissance and bombing

Contractor

:

Cant (CRDA) (Italy)

Power Plant

:

nr. one Isotta Fraschini Asso XI of 882 HP(900 CV )

Maximum Speed

:

171 mph at 8200 feet (275 Km/h at 2500 metres)

Cruise Speed

:

149 mph at 6560 feet (240 Km/h at 2000 metres)

Ceiling

:

22960 feet (7000 meters)

Range

:

1490 mi (2400 Km)

Empty Weight

:

8448 lbs (3840 kilos)

Maximum Takeoff Weight

:

15477 lbs (7035 kilos)

Wingspan

:

73,8 ft. (22,50 metres)

Lenght

:

46,90 ft (14,30 metres)

Height

:

14,49 ft (4,42 metres)

Wing Area

:

667,30 sq. ft. (62 m2)

Armament

:

nr. 3 Breda-SAFAT miniguns of 7,7 mm and a maximum load of bombs of 1408 lbs. (640 Kilos)