Z.506A

The CANT Z.506A was a three‑engine floatplane developed in the mid‑1930s by the Italian shipbuilding and aeronautical firm Cantieri Aeronautici e Navali Triestini (CANT). Intended as a maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft for the Regia Aeronautica, the Z.506A first flew on 23 March 1935 and entered service in 1936. Its sleek, low‑wing monoplane design incorporated a mixed construction of wooden ribs and metal skin, while the three Alfa Romeo 126 radial engines, each delivering about 750 hp, provided the power needed for long over‑water missions. The aircraft could carry up to 1,200 kg of ordnance, including depth charges and a single 12.7 mm machine gun for defensive fire, and it featured a spacious hull that accommodated a crew of four and modest radio‑navigation equipment. The Z.506A proved valuable during the early years of World War II, seeing action in the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Atlantic, where its excellent range—approximately 2,400 km—and seaworthy capabilities allowed it to patrol vast sea lanes and locate enemy convoys. Although quickly outclassed by newer land‑based patrol planes, the Z.506A demonstrated the versatility of floatplane designs and cemented CANT’s reputation as a leading Italian aeronautical manufacturer of the era.