CANT Z.501 Gabbiano
| Z.501 Gabbiano | |
|---|---|
| CANT Z.501 with beaching gear. The position in the nose is closed and the pilot's cockpit is just under the propeller. The engine nacelle was also used as a machine gun position. | |
| General information | |
| Type | Patrol aircraft |
| Manufacturer | CANT |
| Designer | |
| Primary users | Regia Aeronautica |
| Number built | 454 |
| History | |
| Manufactured | -1943 |
| First flight | 7 February 1934 |
| Retired | 1950 |
The CANT Z.501 Gabbiano (Italian: Gull) was a parasol wing flying boat with two outboard stabilising floats. The engine was contained in a nacelle mounted in the middle of the wing. It had a crew of 4–5 men and served with the Italian Regia Aeronautica during the Second World War as a reconnaissance aeroplane. During its debut in 1934, it set a world distance record. It was obsolete by 1940, but was still used throughout the Second World War, suffering many losses. A few remained in service until 1949.