CANT Z.501 Gabbiano

CANT · Italy · first flew 1934 · transport aircraft

The CANT Z.501 Gabbiano (Seagull) was an Italian parasol-wing flying boat powered by a single pusher engine mounted above the wing centre section, used extensively for maritime patrol and rescue by the Regia Aeronautica and Marina from 1934.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	14.3 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Italian parasol-wing flying boat with engine above wing
Single pusher engine mounted atop monoplane wing
Long-range maritime patrol and rescue seaplane

Unmistakable due to the pusher engine mounted on a pylon above the parasol monoplane wing, twin floats under the wing tips, and a boat hull with a stepped planing bottom. No other major aircraft shares this exact configuration.

Specifications

The CANT Z.501 Gabbiano has a length of 14.3 m (47 ft).
It has a wingspan of 22.5 m (74 ft).
Its maximum speed is 275 km/h (171 mph).
Typical crew: 4.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Designed by Filippo Zappata, the Z.501 first flew in 1934 and set a world distance record for seaplanes. It entered service with the Regia Aeronautica and served throughout World War II in the Mediterranean for maritime patrol, convoy escort, and air-sea rescue duties. Despite being obsolescent by 1940, attrition of more modern types meant it soldiered on until the Italian armistice in 1943.

Variants

The Z.501 was produced in one main variant; licence production was considered but not undertaken significantly.

Where you'll see it

Operated extensively by the Regia Aeronautica over the Mediterranean 1936–1943, also seeing service with the Republican forces in the Spanish Civil War.

Related aircraft

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