The CANT Z.501 Gabbiano (Italian: Gull) was a parasol wing flying boat with two outboard stabilising floats.

It had a crew of 4–5 men and served with the Italian Regia Aeronautica during the Second World War as a reconnaissance aeroplane.

[2][page needed] On 19–20 May 1934, the modified Z.501 established a new seaplane distance record of 4,130 km (2,570 mi) by flying from Monfalcone to Massawa in Eritrea in 26 hours and 35 minutes.

The Z.501 was put into service with some modifications, including; turrets for the machine guns, and some reinforcement of the airframe that increased the weight by 500 kg (1,100 lb).

[3][page needed] During the short campaign against France, seven Z.501s were destroyed by a French attack on their base in Sardinia.

In July, encounters with fighters of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm and accidents claimed many Z.501s, with 11 destroyed in action, while the number that were operational dropped to 77.

During the year the number of operational aircraft increased to an average of 100, rising six months later to 108 in eleven squadrons.

[2][page needed]They were responsible, in collaboration with Italian ships, for the destruction of HMS Union and damaged three other submarines.

[2] Total production, 218 by CANT and 236 by Aeronautica Sicula, but 12 incomplete aircraft were captured after the Operation Husky the invasion of Sicily.

Some modifications were adopted during production, such as the removal of the nose machine gun and replacing it with an enclosed fairing.

Following Italy's surrender in 1943, a few of these continued to be operated by both the Axis Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana and the Allied Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force.

[3] After the armistice, several were flown to southern Italy, including the nine aircraft of 149 Sqn with eighty persons aboard.

[2] Generally the aircraft's main task was search and rescue and perhaps because of this it was called Mammaiuto ("Mamma help me!").

As for its flying qualities, it was too slow, lacked manoeuvrability, and under-armed to put up a defence against enemy fighters.

[2] Data from The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II,[8] Italian Civil and Military Aircraft 1930–1945[9]General characteristics Performance Armament