CANT 38

CANT

Industry	Aircraft manufacturing
Founded	1920s
Founder	Raffaele Conflenti (lead designer)
Headquarters	Italy

The CANT 21 was an Italian reconnaissance flying boat developed by CANT during the late 1920s.

Development

In 1926, the Regia Aeronautica commissioned CNT to produce a prototype for a two-seat, single-engine, long-endurance seaplane. The task was assigned to the company's lead designer, Raffaele Conflenti, who created the CANT 21 model. This aircraft drew inspiration from earlier designs such as the CANT 10 and CANT 13, retaining the biplane configuration with a central hull but featuring a redesigned hull without a keel and a shortened redan.

The maiden flight of the CANT 21 took place in 1927, piloted by the company's new test pilot, Commander Adriano Bacula. Subsequently, it was moved to Vigna di Valle for comparative testing against the rival Savoia-Marchetti S.62. The evaluation board favored the S.62, declaring it superior and selecting it as the competition winner. Despite this outcome, the Ministry of Aeronautics authorized CNT to produce the aircraft for export markets. The company showcased the model at the 1928 Prague Air Show and proposed it to Argentina, Portugal, and Turkey. Among these countries, only Argentina initially expressed interest, requesting one prototype followed by an order for three additional units. However, this order was later reduced to one and eventually canceled along with the prototype during construction. Other sources indicate that one unit was delivered in 1930 and remained active until 1940 within Aviación Naval. Production had commenced with the first completed aircraft registered as I-AALN, which was temporarily assigned to SISA airline's flight school near Portorož, followed by a second aircraft registered I-AAPW.

In September 1930, one CANT 21 was acquired by Aviación Naval Uruguaya (Uruguayan Naval Aviation), alongside two CANT 18 flying boats; deliveries occurred in 1931. After World War II began, sourcing spare parts became increasingly difficult, leading to the retirement of both the CANT 21 and remaining CANT 18 aircraft in July 1942.

Toward the end of the 1920s, a new competition was announced to supply the Navy's Auxiliary Aviation with a replacement for the Savoia-Marchetti S.59 seaplane. CNT secured another contract to deliver a prototype derived from the CANT 21 design, designated as CANT 21bis. This updated version accommodated three crew members and featured a more traditional hull design equipped with a keel and an elongated redan. A second tail gunner station was added behind the wingspan for defensive purposes. Power came from an Isotta Fraschini Asso 500Ri engine fitted with a reduction gear in tractor configuration paired with a two-blade metal propeller. After its initial flight on April 13, 1931—again piloted by Bacula—the aircraft underwent comparative trials at Vigna di Valle against the Savoia-Marchetti S.62. Although the S.62 demonstrated superior performance due to its more powerful engine, CNT initiated an extensive development effort before the competition deadline. The propulsion system was changed to a pusher layout enclosed within a gondola to reduce aerodynamic drag and equipped with a four-blade variable-pitch propeller adjustable on the ground from another model. Wing modifications included decalage adjustments and installation of Handley-Page leading-edge flaps to enhance low-speed handling characteristics. These enhancements improved overall performance; however, selection still favored the S.62. Ultimately, neither design received production orders as the contest was canceled shortly thereafter.

During the 1930s, CRDA attempted to revive interest in an updated variant of the CANT 21bis tailored for contemporary military aviation requirements. Engineer Conflenti led this effort which focused on streamlining internal equipment while preserving the external appearance and powerplant of its predecessor. This iteration was internally designated as CANT 38; although official photographs were circulated depicting this model, no actual prototype was constructed. The promotional images were staged using an existing aircraft modified with updated markings displaying "38" on its tail fin for marketing purposes due to its resemblance to the earlier design. The CANT 38 failed to attract buyers, prompting CRDA in Monfalcone to discontinue further development efforts.

References

• Tincopa, Amaru; Rivas, Santiago (2016). Axis Aircraft in Latin America. Manchester: Crécy Publishing Limited. ISBN 978-1-90210-949-7.