CRDA Cant Z.1007
| CRDA Cant Z.1007 | |
|---|---|
 CRDA Cant Z.1007 |
|
| Type: | bomber |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: |
Cantiere Navale Triestino |
| First flight: |
March 11, 1937 |
| Number of pieces: |
660 |
The CANT Z.1007 Alcione (Kingfisher) was a medium three-engine bomber used by the Italian Army in World War II .
History and construction
The Z.1007 was designed by Filippo Zappata at CRDA CANT (Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico - Cantiere Navale Triestino) in 1935. The first flight took place on March 11, 1937. The CANT Z.1007bis was used in large numbers by the Regia Aeronautica and proved to be an effective bomber. 561 machines were built from 1939 to 1943.
The aircraft was based on a wooden structure, which, however, could pose problems under extreme climatic conditions such as in Africa and Russia . The machines of the first series received three Isotta Fraschini Asso XI engines, each with 825 PS (607 kW) and wooden two-bladed propellers, which were quickly replaced by three-bladed metal propellers. The first 34 machines still had ring coolers, but serious engine problems occurred with these machines, so that new radial engines Piaggio P.XI R.2C 40 with 1000 PS (736 kW) had to be installed.
These new aircraft were named Z.1007bis . The machines received a new horizontal stabilizer and arms. Later Z.1007bis got a double rudder unit.
The crew consisted of five men (pilot, copilot, radio operator / gunner, rear gunner and a gunner who operated the remote-controlled machine guns). Two 12.7 mm machine guns were installed in the weapon turret on the top of the fuselage and in the fuselage hull. The aircraft could carry either 1200 kg bombs internally or 1000 kg bombs externally or two 17.7-inch torpedoes . At the beginning of 1943 the version Z.1007ter with 1150 hp Piaggio P.XIX double radial engines was produced, which was up to 500 km / h.
The Z.1015 was a military mail plane with Piaggio P.XII -RC.35 engines with 1500 hp each. The prototype reached 560 km / h and a range of 3000 km.
The Z.516 was a seaplane with the fuselage of a Z.1007 and the floats of a CRDA CANT Z.506 .
Mission history
The first Z.1007bis were delivered to the units in the spring of 1940. In September 1940 the first mission against England was flown from Belgium . However, the missions had only moderate success. After the invasion of Greece in October 1940, the Z.1007bis was heavily used in the Mediterranean, for example against Malta and in North Africa . In 1941 a Z.1007bis sank the British destroyer HMS Juno .
After Italy surrendered in September 1943, the planes were moved to the Balkans and used by the Croatian and German air forces to counter the advance of the Red Army .
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data (CANT Z.1007bis Alcione) |
|---|---|
| crew | 5 |
| length | 18.35 m |
| span | 24.80 m |
| height | 5.22 m |
| Wing area | 75 m² |
| Wing extension | 8.2 |
| Empty mass | 9,365 kg |
| Max. Takeoff mass | 13,620 kg |
| drive | 3 × 14-cylinder double radial engines Piaggio P.XI R.2C.15 with 1,000 PS (735 kW) each |
| Top speed | 465 km / h |
| Service ceiling | 8200 m |
| Range | 1,750 km |
| Armament | 4 × 12.7 mm MGs, 1 × 7.7 mm MG, max. 1200 kg bombs |
See also
literature
- Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi: World Aircraft: World War II. Volume I. Sampson Low Guides, Maidenhead 1978, ISBN 0-562-00096-8 .
- Italo De Marchi, Pietro Tonizzo: CANT. Z. 506 "airone" - CANT. Z. 1007 "alcione". STEM Mucchi Editore, Modena 1994 (Italian).
- William Green: Zappata's Wooden Kingfisher. In: Air International. August 1992, Vol. 43 No. 2, pp. 81-90, Key Publishing, Stamford 1992, ISSN 0306-5634 .
