STORMO! Rare Bird Models 1/144 CANT Z.511 I-LITT by Vince Fiore

Rare Bird Models 1/144 CANT Z.511 I-LITT
Commercial Airliner
by Vince Fiore

Rare Bird Models 1/144 CANT Z.511

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The CANT Z.511 was the largest seaplane on floats ever built. In 1939 Ing. Filippo Zappata designed the four-engine Z.511 transatlantic passenger airliner. Originally intended for Alitalia's South Atlantic route, the Z.511 featured a two-level fuselage with crew and passenger compartments above, and mail and freight holds below. Sleeping accommodations for sixteen persons were to be provided. However, the prototype was not completed until after the outbreak of the war, flying for the first time in October, 1940. Another example was built concurrently. An excellent and rugged design the Z.511 could moor on waves nearly seven feet high with little adverse effect and had a maximum range of 2796 miles.

An ambitious plan for raiding New York harbor was under study in 1943 by the Regia Marina using S.L.C. Maiale or Siluro a Lenta Corsa, manned-guided torpedoes, already successfully employed against the British, sinking the battleships Valiant and Queen Elizabeth at Alexandria. The two Z.511 seaplanes were to fly the Atlantic taxying in under radar screen to a point from which the manned torpedoes could be launched. No provisions were made for retrieving the naval personnel after their attack. The military Z.511A was powered by four 1500 hp Piaggio P.XII RC.35 radial engines giving a maximum speed of 264 mph, a cruising speed of 205 mph and an alighting speed of 84 mph. It could climb to 13,120 ft in 16 minutes.

Reference:

The CANT Z.511 prototype MM.386 outside its enormous hangar at Montfalcone. Note the relative size of the ground crew and plane. The Z.511 was the largest seaplane ever constructed and was to be used for the planned attack on New York harbour carrying Maiale manned-torpedoes in late 1943. Overall Aluminium with submerged parts in matt black.

The relative size of the CANT Z.511 and the Boeing B.17.

The militarized version CANT Z.511A would have been armed with dorsal, ventral, forward-firing and remote turrets.

Construction

This is the 1 144 scale kit. The fit of all parts is fantastic. However, you must be very careful not to chip the trailing edge of the wing and tailplane as they are extremely thin, true to scale. I hesitated removing the sprue from the rear of the perpellas, as the blades are thinner than pepper. You can see this in the pictures. You also must be very careful when applying the decals. No windows were supplied; I therefore used Glass and Glase for the windows. This worked well as the windows are very small. Primer is 1500 Mr Primer by Mr Hobby the silver is Mr. Hobby 208, the blue is MRP 384 True Blue. In more than eighty years of modeling this is my first model in 1/144 scale, with my eyesight failing, it will be my last. Do not get me wrong, this is a fantastic kit. It's the eye problem.

Technical Data

Aircraft: CANT Z.511
Manufacturer: Cantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico
Type: Civil transport
Year: 1940
Engine: Four Piaggio P.XIl RC 35, radial with 18 cylinders, air-cooled, 1,350 hp each
Wingspan: 131 ft 3 in (40.00 m)
Length: 98 ft 1 in (29.90 m)
Height: 35 ft 4 in (10.77 m)
Weight: 75,400 lb (34,200 kg) (Loaded)
Maximum Speed: 263 mph (424 km/h)
Ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,550 m)
Range: 3,170 miles (5,100 km)
Crew: 6
Passengers: 16 (48)

Additional Images

Video: CANT Z.511

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