Macchi M.24

{{Infobox aircraft | name = M.24 | logo = | logo_size = | image = Macchi_M.24.gif | alt = | caption = | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = Flying boat bomber | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = Italy | manufacturer = Macchi | design_group = | designer = Alessandro Tonini | builder = | issuer = | status = | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = | retired = | first_flight = 1924 | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }}

The '''Macchi M.24''' was a flying boat designed by Alessandro Tonini and produced by Macchi in Italy during the 1920s. Originally intended as a bomber, it was eventually produced for civilian use as well.<ref name="JEA">Taylor 1989, 617</ref><ref name="WAIF">''World Aircraft Information Files'' File 901 Sheet 02</ref>

==Design and development== The M.24 resembled a scaled-up version of earlier Macchi flying boat bombers such as the M.9 and M.18, sharing their biplane configuration and Warren truss-style interplane struts. However, while these earlier aircraft were single-engine types, the M.24 had twin engines mounted in a tractor-pusher pair on struts in the interplane gap.<ref name="JEA" /><ref name="WAIF" /> Also like the M.18, it featured an open position in the bow for a gunner, but added a second such position amidships as well.<ref name="JEA" /><ref name="WAIF" />

Two M.24s made a demonstration flight in 1925 from Macchi's home on Lake Varese, crossing the Alps to Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Leningrad and home again.<ref name="JEA" /> This feat was followed by torpedo-launching experiments.<ref name="WAIF" /> The M.24 saw extensive use with the Italian Navy, and several were purchased by the Spanish Navy,<ref name="WAIF" /> which made an extensive use of them during the Rif War, particularly in the Alhucemas landing.

A civil version with equal-span wings was developed in 1927 as the '''M.24''bis'''''. This featured an enclosed cabin within the forward hull that could seat eight passengers. ''Aero Espresso Italiana'' flew these on its Brindisi-Athens-Constantinople route,<ref name="JEA" /> and SITAR operated them on routes in the Mediterranean as well.<ref name="WAIF" />

==Operators== ;{{flag|Kingdom of Italy}} *Regia Marina

==Variants== * '''M.24''' - initial production version - biplane with Fiat A.12 engines and shorter lower wings * '''M.24''bis''''' - equal-span version with Lorraine-Dietrich or Isotta-Fraschini Asso engines, produced in both military and civil subtypes * '''M.24''ter''''' - military version with Isotta-Fraschini Asso engines

==Specifications (M.24''ter'')== thumb|Macchi M.24 fuselage drawing from L'Air June 15,1927 {{Aircraft specs |ref=''World Aircraft Information Files'' File 901 Sheet 02 |prime units? = met |crew=3 |length m=14.63 |length ft=48 |length in=0 |span m=22.00 |span ft=72 |span in=2 |height m=4.65 |height ft=15 |height in=3 |empty weight kg=3,730 |empty weight lb=8,223 |gross weight kg=5,500 |gross weight lb=12,125 |eng1 number=2 |eng1 name=Isotta Fraschini Asso 500 |eng1 kw=380 |eng1 hp=510 |max speed kmh=185 |max speed mph=115 |range km=700 |range miles=435 |ceiling m=4,000 |ceiling ft=13,000 |armament = *1 × 7.7 mm (.303 in) Vickers machine gun in open position in bow *1 × 7.7 mm (.303 in) Vickers machine gun in open position amidships *800 kg (1,874 lb) of bombs }}

==See also== {{aircontent  |see also= |related= |similar aircraft= |lists= * List of Interwar military aircraft *List of seaplanes and flying boats }}

==Notes== {{reflist}}

==References== {{commons category|Macchi M.24}} * {{cite book |last= Taylor |first= Michael J. H. |title=Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation |year=1989 |publisher=Studio Editions |location=London }} * {{cite book |title=World Aircraft Information Files |publisher=Bright Star Publishing|location=London }}

M.24 Category:1920s Italian bomber aircraft Category:Flying boats Category:Biplanes Category:Twin-engined push-pull aircraft Category:Aircraft first flown in 1924