Cantieri Aeronautici e Navali Triestini
Z.506B Airone
The CANT Z.506B “Airone” was the definitive version of Italy’s three‑engine floatplane, developed by the ship‑building firm Cantieri Aeronautici e Navali Triestini in the late 1930s. First flown in 1935 as the Z.506, the B‑variant entered service in 1939 after a series of aerodynamic refinements, upgraded Alfa Romeo 14 R.C.35 engines, and a reinforced hull that improved seaworthiness and payload capacity. The Airone’s sleek, low‑drag monoplane wing and fully retractable floats gave it a top speed of about 380 km/h and a range exceeding 2 500 km, allowing it to perform long‑range maritime patrol, reconnaissance, and even limited transport duties.
During World War II the Z.506B proved versatile, operating from both coastal bases and ship‑borne catapults, and it saw action in the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, and the Red Sea. Its ability to land on water made it invaluable for search‑and‑rescue missions and for supporting naval convoys under hostile conditions. Although overtaken by land‑based aircraft after the war, the Airone remained in service with the Regia Aeronautica and later the Italian Air Force until the early 1950s, leaving a legacy as one of the most capable and elegant seaplanes of its era.
During World War II the Z.506B proved versatile, operating from both coastal bases and ship‑borne catapults, and it saw action in the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, and the Red Sea. Its ability to land on water made it invaluable for search‑and‑rescue missions and for supporting naval convoys under hostile conditions. Although overtaken by land‑based aircraft after the war, the Airone remained in service with the Regia Aeronautica and later the Italian Air Force until the early 1950s, leaving a legacy as one of the most capable and elegant seaplanes of its era.
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Classification
Design & Classification
- Primary Use
- Manufacturer
- Cantieri Aeronautici e Navali Triestini
- Engine
- Alfa 127 R.C.55
- Wikidata ID
- Q15150120