as "the best Italian bomber of World War II", although its wooden structure was easily damaged by the climate, as experienced in North Africa and in Russia.

The initial production mode, 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.

[1] It was subsequently used for both reconnaissance and bombing missions across multiple theatres of the conflict, including the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Eastern Front, amongst others.

However, its performance was lower than predicted; in response, Zappata undertook a major redesign of the Z.1007 while production of the initial version was limited to the existing orders placed before the prototype flew.

After much experimentation with the prototype, the production aircraft were furnished with annular radiators so their profile was similar to radial engines that would be fitted to the improved later versions.

The Z.1007bis was promptly ordered into large scale production, permitting deliveries of pre-production aircraft to commence later that same year.

However, his primary purpose was to allow the forward pilot to rest, and to add some "muscle" to the controls when needed, as well as acting as an extra set of eyes to notice problems and to monitor gauges while the other was occupied.

[8] The Z.1007's wooden structure suffered cracks, separations and surface delamination due to the inhospitable climatic conditions in North Africa and Russia, but allowed the aircraft to float in case of ditching.

The main defensive weapon was a Caproni-Lanciani Delta manually powered Isotta Fraschini dorsal turret armed with a 12.7 mm (.5 in) Scotti or Breda-SAFAT machine gun.

[9] The 12.7 mm (.5 in) Breda was a standard weapon for Italian bombers and the field of fire was improved by the twin-tail configuration on later models.

An electrically powered Breda V turret carrying a similar armament was substituted in late production aircraft.

[10] Another 12.7 mm (.5 in) was in the ventral position behind the bomb bay, with a field of fire restricted to the lower rear quadrant of the aircraft.

The Z.1007 could also carry two 454 mm (17.7 in), 800 kg (1,760 lb) torpedoes slung externally under the belly in an anti-shipping role,[1] an option never used operationally.

[citation needed] Upon Italy's entry into the Second World War on 10 June 1940, Regia Aeronautica had two Stormi equipped with the "Alcione".

[13] During 1942, Z.1007s were used by four groups and two wings in the Mediterranean theatre, in anti-ship role and against Malta, often escorted by Italian and German fighters.

[14] During 1942, it was proposed to modify the remaining 16 Z.1007s for weather reconnaissance, re-engining them with Isotta Fraschini Delta engines, but only one aircraft was converted.

The SM.79, without crew and armament, but packed with explosives and equipped with a radio control device, was to be used as a "Flying Bomb" against big naval targets.

[14] As the Pedestal Convoy was off the Algerian coast on 12 August 1942, the SM.79 "Drone", the Z.1007bis guide aircraft and escort of five FIAT G.50 fighters flew out to intercept the ships.

Once the SM.79's pilot had set his aircraft on a course toward the Allied ships, he bailed out leaving the Z.1007bis crew to guide the flying bomb the rest of the way by radio.

The Italian bombers had to face the strengthened defences of the island, which employed radar combined with Bristol Beaufighter night fighters.

They were used in force only once, on 11 November 1940, when five were used as a decoy (without bombs or guns) to draw RAF fighters away from the main Italian attack on a convoy and the port facilities around Harwich by 10 Fiat BR 20 bombers.

[16] The Stormi suffered few losses, among them two made by a PZL P.24, manned by Second Lieutenant Marinos Mitralexis, who managed to bring down one of the two CANT Z.1007s by ramming its tail.

[18] Three days after the armistice, on 11 September, the Z.1007s that were in Perugia, joined by eight more, took off for the base of Alghero in Sardinia, losing two of their number to German flak.

On 16 September, these bombers attacked German vessels that were carrying troops and equipment from Sardinia to Corsica, and one more aircraft was lost to flak.

[19] On 15 October, the Z.1007s, then based in Sardinia, were grouped with those in Southern Italy to form the Raggruppamento Bombardamento Trasporti (Unit for bombing and transport), under the badge of the Aeronautica Cobelligerante Italiana (ACI or Air Force of the South, Aeronautica del Sud), Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force in English.

The aircraft dropped 96 food containers on Kolasin, Montenegro, but on the way back nine bombers lost contact with the escort of Macchi C.205s and Reggiane Re.

Five Alcioni were shot down into the sea by the German pilots (who mistakenly claimed Savoia-Marchetti SM.84) and two more landed heavily damaged at the Lecce-Galatina air base in Apulia.

The long range and the ceiling helped these aircraft to obtain good results until the Spitfires appeared in the Mediterranean theatre.

[citation needed] Data from The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II[23]General characteristics Performance Armament