| Macchi M.7 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Macchi M.7 fighter | |
| Role | single-seat fighter flying-boat Type of aircraft |
| National origin | Italy |
| Manufacturer | Macchi |
| Designer | Alessandro Tonini |
| First flight | 1918 |
| Primary user | Italian Navy Aviation |
| Number built | 100+ |
TheMacchi M.7 was an Italian single-seatfighterflying boat designed byAlessandro Tonini and built byMacchi. A modified version of the M.7, the M.7bis won theSchneider Trophy in 1921.
The M.7 was similar to the earlierM.5 but had a modified hull and was powered by anIsotta Fraschini V.6 engine. Due to the end ofWorld 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 theM.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, theM.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 theM.7ter AR, which hadfolding wings to allow them to operate from theseaplane-carrierGiuseppe 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.
A single Macchi M.7 has survived to this day. It was built in Italy around 1918 and was used by the Swedish Air Force from 1921 to 1927. It is now on display in theSwedish Air Force Museum with Swedish insignia.[1]
Data from[2]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
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