to enemy fighters or even bombers. Perhaps its only air victory was in the Aegean, when a fighter stalled while chasing a Z.501. The aircraft was more often relegated to second-line duties. Sometimes, with well-trained crews, it was able to attack submarines, damaging several of them (perhaps six in total) and contributing to the destruction of two others. The aircraft had no advanced detection systems, only depth charges. Generally the aircraft's main task was search and rescue missions, and perhaps because of this it was called Mammaiuto (which means "Mamma help me!" in Italian). Another theory is that it earned the nickname because it was helpless against enemy aircraft. Even its sea capabilities were poor, and often the Z.501 needed to be helped by ships. As for its flying qualities, it was too slow, unmanoeuvrable, and under-armed to put up a defence against enemy fighters. As a result, many were shot down. Military operators Regia Aeronautica Aviazione Legionaria operated 9 aircraft Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana Italian Air Force operated few aircraft until 1948 Spanish Air Force Royal Romanian Naval Aviation (12 purchased in 1941) Specifications (Z.501) See also Notes Bibliography Angelucci, Enzo and Paolo Matricardi. World Aircraft: World War II, Volume I (Sampson Low Guides). Maidenhead, UK: Sampson Low, 1978. . Bishop, Chris, ed. The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II. New York: Barnes & Noble, 1998. . Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. London: Amber Books, 2001. . Jackson, Robert. The Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft. London: Paragon, 2002. . Marcon, Tullio. "Il CANT Z.501 Gabbiano. (Italian)". Parma: Storia Militare Magazione, November 1995, pp 10–21. Z.0501 1930s Italian patrol aircraft Flying boats Single-engined tractor aircraft Parasol-wing aircraft