J.Davilla Italian Aviation in the First World War. Vol.3: Aircraft M-W (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 75)

Macchi M.15

  The two-seat reconnaissance Macchi M.15 was designed by Tonini and Bergonzi and appeared late in 1918.
  Intended to be used as a high-speed reconnaissance aircraft over the battlefront, it was an unequal-span biplane with its pilot and observer seated close together in tandem open cockpits. The structure was mainly of wood and had the “W”-form Warren-truss style wing bracing, typical of Macchi aircraft. This arrangement provided additional strength. There was provision for three cameras and a radio transmitter, and armament comprised three 7.7-mm (0.303-in) machine-guns.
  A modified version designated M.15bis appeared in 1922, which differed externally by having revised vertical tail surfaces.
  The type equipped 115a Squadriglia da Ricognizione at Bologna from 1922 to 1924, but it is believed that not more than 20 examples of both versions were built. After being retired from service, a few M,15s were used for experimental purposes, including one used by the Prospero Freri for parachute testing.


Macchi M.15 two-seat reconnaisance aircraft with one 300-hp (224-kW) Fiat A.12bis engine
  Wingspan 13.38 m; length 8.60 tn; height 3.30 m; wing area 42 sq m
  Empty weight 1,125 kg; maximum take-off weight 1635 kg; payload 510 kg;
  Maximum speed 200 km/h, service ceiling of 6,000 m, climb to 5,000 m in 50 minutes, range of 600 km, endurance 3 hours