The Cant Z506B is a derivative
of a civilian aircraft, the Cant Z506A. This one, designed by Filippo
ZAPPATA in 1936, was a high quality aircraft which won no less than
10 world records from its launch: speed, altitude, distance, ..
The Cant Z506B differed in
particular from the Cant Z506A by the addition of a ventral protuberance
which housed the bomb or torpedo compartment and, at the rear end,
the Bombardier post defended by a 7.7 machine gun. The upper sector
was defended by a 12.7 mm machine gun mounted on a retractable mobile
carriage. The Cant Z506B was made around a wooden structure and
was powered by 3 Alfa-Romeo 126 R34 engines of 750hp. This large
aircraft was the largest floatplane in the Second World War
The new aircraft was used
during the Spanish War where it could demonstrate its qualities.
Poland ordered about 30 aircraft, but only 1 was delivered before
the German invasion. The rest of the order was logically transferred
to the "Régia Marina".
When Italy entered the conflict,
in June 1939, when France was on its knees, 97 Cant Z506B Airone
had been built, the majority of which were distributed between the
31 ° and 35 ° Stormi Bombardamento Marittimo based respectively
in Elmas and Brindisi.
Cant Z506B was engaged in
the Campaign of Greece, for the attack of the convoys or the British
Navy. But the aircraft, slow and poorly defended, was easy prey
for British fighting.
The Italian command, aware
of the weakness of the aircraft, will henceforth confine it to less
dangerous missions: mine laying, convoy accompaniment, rescue, patrol
or attack of Submarines.
324 Cant Z506B will be manufactured,
but the main version produced will be the XII or Z506S model, specifically
designed for sea rescue. Some copies will even be used by the luftwaffe,
and the last Cant Z506 will be withdrawn from service in 1959 ...
