CANT Z.511

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CANT_Z.511

The CANT Z.511 was a four-engine long-range seaplane designed by Filippo Zappata
of the "Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico" (CRDA) company. Originally designed for
the Central and South Atlantic passenger routes, it was later adapted as a
military transport and special raider.

Design and development?

The design for the construction of a large four-engine, twin-float seaplane
began at the end of September 1937, when the technical department of CRDA
accepted the specifications of the LATI (Compagnia Ala Littoria) company,
created in 1939, who required a long-range seaplane for carrying mail, cargo and
passengers to Latin America.

These plans were cancelled on the outbreak of World War II, but a version of the
aircraft was adapted for long-range maritime patrol, armed with 10 single-mount
12.7 mm (0.500 in) machine guns in both side gun positions, in two upper
turrets, and belly positions. Plans were made to install 20 mm (0.787 in) cannon
in a front turret or in a glazed nose position, and more machine guns in a tail
position.

For bombing, it was adapted to carry up to 4,000 kg (8,800 lb) of bombs in an
internal bomb bay and on outer wing positions: up to four launch racks, for 454
mm (17.9 in) air-launched torpedoes for surface attack, or "Maiale" manned
torpedoes or midget submarines for special operations.

The original engines were relatively underpowered, so Zappata asked the
authorities for permission to acquire 1,193 kW (1,600 hp) Wright R-2600 Double
Cyclones from the United States. Due to the deteriorating international
situation, however, he was unable to obtain authorization. The CANT Z.511 civil
aircraft could theoretically carry 16 passengers over 5,000 km (2,700 nmi; 3,100
mi). Later, when adapted as a military transport, four 1,119 kW (1,501 hp)
Piaggio P.XII R.C.35 were used, giving only adequate power to an aircraft
weighing up to 34 t (75,000 lb), giving it a maximum range of 4,500 km (2,400
nmi; 2,800 mi).


Role
Seaplane

Manufacturer
Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico

Designer
Filippo Zappata

First flight
October 1940

Number built
2

Operational history?


CANT Z.511.jpg

The Z.511 had its first test flights at Monfalcone, Venezia Giulia
(north-eastern Italy) between October 1940 and March 1942. Between 28 February
and 1 March 1942, test pilot Mario Stoppani succeeded in taking off and landing
fully loaded in very rough seas, with 1.5 m (4.9 ft) waves and winds of 55–65
kilometres per hour (30–35 kn; 34–40 mph). The Z.511 prototype was then
transported to Grado, Venezia (further away from the insecure Yugoslavian
border) for further evaluations; the last test and operational flight occurred
on 1 September 1943, two days before the Italian Armistice was signed.

After the division of the Italian forces, one aircraft was appropriated by the
Fascist Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana. However, it had been damaged only
three weeks before by British fighters, which had strafed it on Lake Trasimeno
where it was undergoing final trials. It was transferred to the seaplane base at
Vigna di Valle. There it suffered from sabotage by base personnel to prevent it
falling into the hands of either the Allies or the Germans. The other aircraft,
still under construction at the CRDA factory, was retained by Axis forces and
scrapped for the metal, which was sent to Germany.

Specifications (Z.511)

General characteristics
Crew: 6
Capacity: 16 passengers (airliner)
Length: 28.5 m (93 ft 6 in)
Wingspan: 39.86 m (130 ft 9 in)
Height: 11 m (36 ft 1 in)
Wing area: 195 m2 (2,100 sq ft)
Empty weight: 20,692 kg (45,618 lb)
Gross weight: 34,200 kg (75,398 lb)
Powerplant: 4 × Piaggio P.XII RC.35 air-cooled radial piston engines, 1,100 kW
(1,500 hp) each

Performance
Maximum speed: 424 km/h (263 mph, 229 kn)
Cruise speed: 330 km/h (210 mph, 180 kn)
Range: 4,352 km (2,704 mi, 2,350 nmi)
Service ceiling: 7,550 m (24,770 ft)
Rate of climb: 4.16 m/s (819 ft/min)

Armament

Guns:
10 × 12.7 mm (0.500 in) Breda-SAFAT machine guns
or
10x 20 mm (0.787 in) Cannone-Mitragliera da 20/77 (Scotti) cannon in beam
positions, two upper turrets, and belly positions.
Missiles: 4× 450 mm (17.7 in) aerial torpedoes or "Maiale" manned torpedoes.
Bombs: Up to 4,000 kg (8,800 lb) bomb-load in an internal bomb bay and mounted
on outer-wing hard-points



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