CANT Z.501 Gabbiano

The CANT Z.501 Gabbiano was a single‑engine flying boat built by the Italian firm Cantieri Aeronautici e Navali Triestini (CANT) in the 1930s. First flown in September 1934, the aircraft was designed for long‑range maritime patrol, reconnaissance and search‑and‑rescue missions over the Mediterranean and Atlantic. Its high‑mounted, 1200‑hp Alfa Romeo 126 RC.34 radial engine drove a two‑bladed wooden propeller, while the all‑metal hull featured a sleek, boat‑like keel and stabilizing sponsons that allowed take‑off from rough seas. The spacious cabin accommodated a crew of up to five and could carry a modest bomb load, depth charges or a pair of 7.7 mm machine guns for defence. Over 500 Z.501s were produced, serving the Regia Aeronautica, the Italian Navy and later the air forces of Germany, Croatia and Spain. The type proved valuable during the early years of World War II, providing essential aerial eyes for convoy protection and anti‑submarine warfare, and it remained operational in secondary roles until the early 1950s. The Gabbiano’s combination of range, payload and amphibious capability marked a milestone in the development of maritime aviation, influencing later designs such as the CANT Z.506 and the Allied Consolidated PBY Catalina.

Cantieri Aeronautici e Navali Triestini

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Design & Classification