Macchi M.7

{{Infobox aircraft | name = Macchi M.7 | logo = | logo_size = | image = Macchi M.7 matricola 20781, scan rivista Aeronautica, novembre 2012.jpg | alt = | caption = Macchi M.7 fighter | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = single-seat fighter flying-boat | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = Italy | manufacturer = Macchi | design_group = | designer = Alessandro Tonini | builder = | issuer = | status = | owners = | primary_user = Italian Navy Aviation | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = 100+ | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = | retired = | first_flight = 1918 | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }}

300px|right|thumb|Macchi M.7''bis'' racer The '''Macchi M.7''' was an Italian single-seat fighter flying boat designed by Alessandro Tonini and built by Macchi. A modified version of the M.7, the M.7bis won the Schneider Trophy in 1921.

==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== ;{{ARG}} *Argentine Naval Aviation ;{{BRA}} *Brazilian Naval Aviation ;{{flag|Kingdom of Italy}} *Regia Marina **Italian Naval Aviation ;{{flag|Paraguay}} *Paraguayan Air Force ;{{SWE}} *Swedish Air Force

== Surviving aircraft == 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 the Swedish Air Force Museum with Swedish insignia.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Käsper|first=Uppdaterad: Informationsansvarig: Rickard|title=Macchi M.7|url=http://www.flygvapenmuseum.se/samlingar/flygplan/flygvapenmuseum-linkoping/macchi-m.7/|access-date=2021-10-24|website=www.flygvapenmuseum.se|language=sv}}</ref>

==Specifications (M.7ter)== thumb|238x238px|Macchi m7 in Linköping 2006 {{Aircraft specs |ref=<ref>Orbis 1985, page 2393</ref> |prime units? = met |crew=1 |length m=8.09 |length ft=26 |length in=6.5 |span m=9.95 |span ft=32 |span in=7.75 |height m=2.97 |height ft=9 |height in=9 |wing area sqm=23.50 |wing area sqft=252.96 |empty weight kg=805 |empty weight lb=1,775 |gross weight kg=1,098 |gross weight lb=2,421 |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=Isotta Fraschini V.6 inline piston engine |eng1 kw=194 |eng1 hp=260 |max speed kmh=200 |max speed mph=124 |endurance=3 hours 0 minutes |ceiling m=7,000 |ceiling ft=22,965 |armament = *2 × 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Vickers machine guns (fixed forward firing in bow) }}

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

==References== {{Commons category|Macchi M.7}} {{Reflist}} * {{cite book |last= Taylor |first= Michael J. H. |title=Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation |year=1989 |publisher=Studio Editions |location=London }} *{{cite book |title= The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985)|publisher= Orbis Publishing}}

Category:Schneider Trophy Category:1910s Italian fighter aircraft Category:Flying boats M.07 Category:Biplanes Category:Single-engined pusher aircraft Category:Aircraft first flown in 1918