Supermodel 10-006 Cant.Z.1007 bis Alcione

The CANT Z.1007 Alcione (Italian kingfisher) was an Italian, medium-wing, wooden structure medium bomber with a retractable landing gear. The drive was provided by three motors Piaggio P.XI bis RC40 1000 HP each. The prototype flight took place in 1937. Serial production continued in the years 1938-1943, ending with the production of about 660 aircraft of this type. The aircraft was armed with two 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns, two 7.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns and a load of up to 1200 kg of bombs or two torpedoes weighing 450 kg each.

The CANT Z.1007 aircraft was created as a new medium-range bomber for the Italian military aviation (owned by Regia Aeronautica). An outstanding Italian aircraft constructor, Eng. Fillippo Zappata, who decided to base his work on the successful CANT Z.506 seaplane. Finally, after a relatively short and efficient process of analytical work, a very successful machine was created. The CANT Z.1007 was characterized by good performance, was aerodynamically refined and easy to pilot, and had very good maneuverability for a machine of this class. It is widely recognized as one of the best - if not the best - Italian WWII bomber. In total, two development versions of the basic version were created. The first one was marked Z.1007bis - it had a slightly larger hull and closed shooting positions. The second one (Z.1007ter) was powered by new engines Piaggio P.XIX with 1150 hp each. Airplanes The CANT Z.1007 passed their baptism of fire during the fighting in Greece in 1940. They also fought over Crete in 1941. They also took a very active part in the course of other fights in the Mediterranean in 1940-1943: in North Africa, in fighting British shipping or in air raids on Malta. Occasionally, planes of this type fought in the Battle of Britain in 1940 and on the Eastern Front.