Everything about Cant Z 506 totally explained
The
CANT Z.506 Airone (
Italian:
Heron) was a triple engine
float plane that served with the
Italian Regia Aeronautica during
World War II.
Design and development
The
CANT Z.506 was designed as a 12 to 14-seat transport twin-float seaplane, powered by three 610hp (455kW)
Piaggio Stella IX radial engines. It was derived from the larger and heavier
CANT Z.505 mailplane. The Z.506 first flew on
19 August 1935, and entered production in 1936 as the
Z.506A, powered by more powerful 750hp (559kW)
Alfa Romeo 126 RC 34 radial engines. The Z.506A entered service in 1936 with
Ala Littoria, flying on routes around the Mediterranean. The Z.506A set a number of altitude, speed and distance records for its class between 1936 and 1938.
A military version was developed as the
Z.506B, powered by 750hp (559kW) Alfa Romeo 127 RC 55 engiones. It entered service in
1939. A larger version of the Z.506A was built in 1937 as the
CANT Z.509.
Operational history
The Z.506B was originally used as a torpedo/reconnaissance bomber early in the war, but was pressed into other duties, because of its vulnerability against fighter aircraft. Later in the war, it was used in mostly maritime patrol and air-sea rescue missions. A special air-sea rescue version, the
Z.506S Soccorso, was produced; with small numbers being flown by the
Luftwaffe. Surviving aircraft served with the
Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force after Italy's surrender in
1943 and some examples survived in postwar service until
1959.
Variants
Z.506 » Prototype, one built.
;Z.506A » Civil version
Z.506B » Military version, 324 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, which didn't take place to due bad weather.
;Z.509 » A larger and heavy version of the Z.506B, three built.
Operators
