STORMO! Italeri 1/72 CANT Z.501 by Luca Bossi

Italeri 1/72 CANT Z.501 Serie I
Gabbiano (Seagull)
by Luca Bossi

Italeri 1/72 CANT Z 501 "Gabbiano" 184^ Squadriglia, 83° Gruppo. Base Idrovolanti di Augusta (Sicily), Spring 1937

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This was the first of the flying boats designed by Ing. Zappata and the plane’s debut couldn’t have been better. On October 19, 1934 the prototype of the CANT Z.501 set a world distance record flying 2,600 miles (4,184 km) from Monfalcone Italy to Massawa on the Red Sea in 26 hrs and 35 minutes. The record was increased by 500 miles (804 km) on July 17, 1935. These records indicated the quality of this aircraft. When Italy entered the war there were 202 CANT Z.501s on hand. The aircraft had an intensive operational career in coastal patrol, long range reconnaissance, convoy escort, anti-submarine warfare and air-sea rescue operations. At the Armistice 30 Z.501s reached the South of Italy while 40 were taken by the Luftwaffe and the ANR. A few survived WWII and remained in service until 1949. The aircraft was a high-performance plane despite its slow speed and limited armament.[1]

References
[1] Angelucci E. and P. Matricardi, "World Aircraft, World War II – Part I", Sampson Low Guides, 1978
[2] Marcon Tullio, "Ali D'Italia #17, C.R.D.A. CANT Z.501", La Bancarella Aeronautica, Torino 2001

The 184a Squadriglia, 83o Gruppo received some early Z.501 Serie I machines. These machines were powered by an Isotta-Fraschini Asso 750 in-line engine that developed about 940hp and were equipped with the S.78 type turrets on the central raised gondola and mid dorsal hull [2]. This is 184-9 at Augusta naval-base in Sicily, Spring 1937 being hoisted by crane. Note the pre-war tri-colors and Savoy crest on the fin and rudder, and the thin red diagonal bands on the gondola and rear hull.

Construction

This CZ 501 was obtained from Italeri, not the updated box, after considerable modifications which concerned the wings.

Colors and Markings
The classic color based on aluminised paint was obtained by mixing two ALCLADS by adding 1/3 of aluminum to the dull aluminum.

References
- Ministero dell’Aeronautica – Idrovolante Cant Z.501 ISTRUZIONI E NORME PER IL MONTAGGIO E REGOLAZIONE – 1940.
- CMPR Notiziario Modellistico numeri 2-3-4/1987 e n.4/1992.
- La Bancarella Aeronautica, Ali d’Italia n.17 Cant Z.501.

Technical Data

Aircraft: CANT Z.501
Manufacturer: Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico
Type: Maritime Reconnaissance
Year: 1934
Engine: Isotta-Fraschini Asso XI RC 15, 12-cyclinder, liquid-cooled, 900hp
Wingspan: 73 ft 10 in (22.49 m)
Length: 46 ft 11 in (14.27 m)
Height: 14 ft 6 in (4.43 m)
Weight: 13,090 lb (5,937 kg) (Loaded)
Maximum Speed: 171 mph (275 km/h)
Ceiling: 13,000 ft (3,962 m)
Range: 1,490 miles (2,397 km)
Armament: 3 machine guns; 1,408 lb (638 kg) of bombs
Crew: 4-5

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