Macchi M.5

The Macchi M.5 was Italy's first flying-boat fighter and was a single-seater, previous designs having been two-seaters. Some 240 M.5s were built, these equipping five Italian maritime patrol squadrons from early 1918 until after the Armistice. The M.5mod had a more powerful 250hp engine.The M.5 was extremely manoeuvrable and proved invaluable for escort duty over the Adriatic, as it possessed a substantial endurance. It had an excellent rate of climb, being able to reach 4000m in 20 minutes.