Piaggio P.6

Piaggio

Industry	Aerospace
Headquarters	Italy

The Piaggio P.6 was an Italian reconnaissance floatplane, designed for launch via catapult and developed by Piaggio to serve the Regia Marina (Italian Royal Navy).

Development

In response to a request from the Regia Marina for a two-seat seaplane capable of catapult launch, Piaggio created two distinct models. The initial model, known as the P.6bis, was a compact biplane flying boat equipped with a 190 kW (260 hp) Isotta Fraschini V.6 engine that powered a pusher propeller. The alternative design, called the P.6, featured a floatplane configuration with a single large central float complemented by two smaller stabilizing floats at the wing tips and utilized a nose-mounted A.20 engine.

Both variants shared an identical biplane wing design supported by rigid strut bracing and carried one machine gun—positioned in the bow on the flying boat and in the rear cockpit on the floatplane. In 1928, an upgraded version named the P.6ter was developed from the P.6 floatplane, incorporating an enhanced engine delivering 306 kW (410 hp). The Italian Navy commissioned a batch of 15 P.6ter units, which served primarily aboard battleships and cruisers without notable distinction.

Variants

File:Piaggio P.6.jpg

P.6bis

Prototype flying boat model.

P.6

Prototype floatplane version.

P.6ter

Production floatplane variant; 15 units built.

Operators

Template:Country data Kingdom of Italy

• Regia Marina

Specifications (P.6ter)

File:Piaggio P.6 left front quarter view.jpg