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Italy's Cant Z.506B Airone "Heron" floatplane1
Cant Z.506B Airone:
Cant Z.506B Airone:
Design
The Cant Z.506B Airone was the military version of the Z.506 civilian transport.1
Even thought The Z.506B was of wooden construction it could handle Force 5 condititions.1
Prototype
Production
The Cant Z.506 was built by Cant and Piaggio.1
- Z.506: 201
- Z.506B: 3241
- Total: 3441
Variants
- Z.506B: First appeared in 1937.1
- Z.506B Series XII: Had a beam position with two 7.7 mm MGs and could also carry up to 2,645 lb / 1,200 kg bombs.1
- Z.506S: Conversion to air sea rescue.1 Around 50 were converted.1
Usage
Spanish Civil War
In the Spanish Civil War the Italian Legion used some Z.506Bs.1
Entry Into World War II
There were around 95 Z.506s available in June 1940 and equipped two Regia Aeronautica groups.1 These were used against France and the Balkans.1
Vulnerable to Attack
By 1941 the Cant Z.506B was switched to being a primarily coastal plane because it was found to be very vulnerable to enemy fighters.1
Hijacked
The only plane to be every taken over by POWs was a Cant Z.506B that was flown to Malta.1
Luftwaffe Use
After the Italian surrender the Luftwaffe used about twelve Z.506Bs as ambulances and transports.1
Power War Use
The Italian Air Force used some of the Z.506Bs until 1959.1
| Cant Z.506B Airone "Heron"1 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Torpedo bomber1 Reconnaissance floatplane1 |
| Crew | 51 |
| Engine (Type) | 3: Alfa Romero 126 RC 341 |
| Cylinders | Radial 91 |
| Cooling | |
| HP | 750 each1 |
| Propeller blades | 3 each1 |
| Dimensions | |
| Span | 86' 11"1 26.49 m1 |
| Length | 63' 2"1 19.25 m1 |
| Height | 24' 5.5"1 7.45 m1 |
| Wing area | |
| Weight | |
| Empty | 19,290 lb1 8,750 kg1 |
| Loaded | |
| Maximum load | 27,998 lb1 12,700 kg1 |
| Performance | |
| Speed @ 13,120' / 4,000 m |
217 mph1 349 kph1 |
| Cruising speed | |
| Climb to 13,120' / 4,000 m |
4 minutes1 |
| Service ceiling | 25,750'1 7,850 m1 |
| Range with 1,102 lb / 500 kg load |
1,243 miles1 2,000 km1 |
| Maximum range | 1,430 miles1 2,300 km1 |
| Armament | |
| Dorsal turret | 1: 12.7 mm MG1 |
| Ventral position | 1: 7.7 mm MG1 |
| Ventral bay | 2: 1,764 lb torpedo1 2: 800 kg torpedo1 |
| OR | 2,205 lb1 1,000 kg1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
