CANT Z.1007 Alcione

The CANT Z.1007 Alcione (Kingfisher) was a three-engined medium bomber designed and produced by the Italian aircraft manufacturer CANT. It was regarded by some as "the best Italian bomber of World War II", although its wooden structure was easily damaged by the climate in North Africa and in Russia.

Designed by Filippo Zappata, who also designed the CANT Z.506 Airone, the Z.1007 featured a wooden structure and had "excellent flying characteristics and good stability". The prototype performed its maiden flight during March 1937, and the type entered service with the Regia Aeronautica in the following year. The initial production version, which was powered by Isotta-Fraschini Asso XI.RC inline engines, was not fully satisfactory, and thus was largely confined to use as a trainer while design work continued. An improved model, the Z.1007bis, was developed to resolve the problems with the original aircraft; it was powered by Piaggio P.XI RC.40 radial engines and featured numerous other design refinements.

Production of the type was relatively slow, even following Italy's entry into the Second World War on 10 June 1940. In October of that year, the combat debut of Z.1007 took place during the Italian invasion of Greece. It was subsequently used for both reconnaissance and bombing missions in many theatres of the conflict, including the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Eastern Front. It was operated in quantity by the Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force, Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana; limited numbers were also flown by the Royal Air Force and Luftwaffe during the conflict. Due to its vulnerability to damage and fire, the Z.1007 was largely flown at night during the latter part of its service life.