Macchi M.7

The Macchi M.7 was an Italian single-seat fighter flying boat designed by Alesandro Tonini and built by Macchi. A modified version of the M.7, the M.7bis won the Schneider Trophy in 1921.

Macchi M.7
Macchi M.7 fighter
Role single-seat fighter flying-boat
National origin Italy
Manufacturer Macchi
Designer Alesandro Tonini
First flight 1918
Primary user Italian Navy Aviation
Number built 100+
Macchi M.7bis racer

Development

The M.7 was similar to the earlier M.5 but had a modified hull and was powered by an Isotta Fraschini V.6 engine. Due to the end of World War I, only 17 aircraft were delivered to the Italian Navy. In 1919, two were sold to Argentina and four to Sweden, and in 1921, Brazil bought three.

In 1920, Tonini designed the M.7bis a racing version of the M.7 for the Schneider Trophy. The M.7bis had a lighter structure and reduced-span wings. Five M.7s entered the 1921 competition at Venice, which was won by Giovanni di Briganti flying the M.7bis. At the 1922 competition at Naples, the M.7bis came in fourth.

In 1923, a revised variant of the M.7, the M.7ter appeared. This had a redesigned hull, revised wing configuration and a new tail unit. Three different versions of the M.7ter were built, including the M.7ter AR, which had folding wings to allow them to operate from the seaplane-carrier Giuseppe Miraglia. In 1924, six Italian naval squadrons were equipped with the M.7ter and over 100 were built. The aircraft was also used as late as 1940 by civilian flying schools.

Operators
 Argentina
 Brazil
 Kingdom of Italy
 Paraguay
  • Paraguayan Air Force
 Sweden

Specifications (M.7ter)
Macchi M.7ter fighter

Data from [1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 8.09 m (26 ft 6.5 in)
  • Wingspan: 9.95 m (32 ft 7.75 in)
  • Height: 2.97 m (9 ft 9 in)
  • Wing area: 23.50 m2 (252.96 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 805 kg (1,775 lb)
  • Gross weight: 1,098 kg (2,421 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Isotta Fraschini V.6 inline piston engine , 194 kW (260 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 200 km/h (124 mph, 108 kn)
  • Endurance: 3 hours 0 minutes
  • Service ceiling: 7,000 m (22,965 ft)

Armament

See also

Related lists

References
  1. Orbis 1985, page 2393
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
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