Macchi M.40

The Macchi M.40 was a prototype 1920s Italian catapult-launched reconnaissance floatplane designed and built by Macchi, it did not enter production.¹

The M.40 was an all-metal equal-span biplane powered by a 380 hp (280 kW) Fiat A.20 piston engine. It had a large central float with a stabilising float under each wing. The crew sat in tandem open cockpits and the M.40 was armed with one fixed and one movable 7.7 mm (0.303 in) machine-gun.¹ Two were built, given the serials MM.88 and MM.89, but following testing, the aircraft was not put into production.

Data from ¹Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft

General characteristics

• Crew: two (pilot, observer/gunner)
• Powerplant: 1 × Fiat A.20 , 283 kW (380 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 166 km/h (103 mph, 90 kn)

Armament

• 1 fixed 7.7mm (0.303in) Vickers modificata machine gun²
• 1 movable 7.7mm (0.303in) Lewis machine gun²