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Italy's Cant Z.1007 Alcione (kingfisher) medium bomber1,2
Cant Z.1007 Alcione medium bomber:
Cant Z.1007 Alcione medium bomber:
Design
The Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico (Cant) was based on the Z.506B Airone (heron) floatplane.1 The Z.1007 was to be it's land based counterpart.2
Tail
During production of the Z.1007 it could have a single tail or a twin tail.2 There was no separate designation for the two different versions.2
Prototype
The prototype first flew in May 1937 with three Isotta Fraschini Asso (840 HP) engines.1,2
Production
Production started in 1939.1,2 The Z.1007 was manufactured by Cant, Meridionali, and Piaggio.2
- Prototypes: 22
- Z.1007: 352
- Z.1007bis/ter: 5262
- Total: 5632
- Z.1018: 172
Variants
- Z.1007bis: Main production version.1 Had Piaggio engines, a larger fuselage, larger wing area, and stronger landing gear.1
- Z.1007ter: Produced in 1943.2 Had Piaggio P.XIX engines (1,175 HP).2
- Z.1018 Leone (lion): Was a twin engine, all metal version that saw some service right before Italy surrendered.1,2 Had Piaggio P.XII engines (1,350 HP).2
Usage
The first Cant Z.1007 joined the Regia Aeronautica in 1939.1 The Z.1007 saw service until September 1943.1
Malta Convoys
The Cant Z.1007s were used used in the torpedo bombing role against the Malta convoyes.1
Night Operations
The Cant Z.1007s were mainly used over the Aegean, Malta, and North Africa at night.1
Russia
A few of the Cant Z.1007s saw action in Russia.1,2
| Cant Z.1007 Alcione2 | Cant Z.1007bis Alcione1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Medium bomber2 | Medium bomber1 Torpedo bomber1 |
| Crew | 52 | 51 |
| Engine (Type) | 3: Piaggio P.XIbis RC 40 piston1,2 | |
| Cylinders | Radial1,2 142 | |
| HP | 1,000 each1,2 | |
| Cooling | ||
| Propeller blades | 3 each1,2 | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Span | 81' 4"2, 81' 4.5"1 24.79 m2, 24.8 m1 |
|
| Length | 60' 2.5"1,2 18.35 m1,2 |
|
| Height | 17' 1.5"1,2 5.22 m1,2 |
|
| Wing area | 73.35 ft2 1 70 m2 1 |
|
| Weight | ||
| Empty | 19,005 lb1, 19,338 lb2 8,620 kg1, 8,772 kg2 |
|
| Loaded | 30,029 lb1,2 13,621 kg1,2 |
|
| Performance | ||
| Speed @ 13,780' / 4,200 m |
280 mph1 450 kph1 |
|
| Climb | 1,542'/minute1 470 m/minute1 |
|
| Service ceiling | 26,575'1 8,100 m1 |
|
| Range | 800 miles1 1,280 km1 |
|
| Armament | ||
| Beam | 2: 7.7 mm MG2 | 2: 7.7 mm Breda SAFAT MGs1 |
| Dorsal and ventral | 2: 12.7 mm MG2 | 2: 12.7 mm1 |
| Bombs - internal | 4,410 lb2 2,000 kg2 |
4,409 lb1 2,000 kg1 |
| OR | ||
| Bombs - under wing | 4: 551 lb2 4: 250 kg2 |
2,205 lb1 1,000 kg1 |
| OR | ||
| Torpedo | 2: 1,000 lb2 2: 454 kg2 |
2: 1,000 lb1 2: 454 kg1 |
Sources:
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
