G.Swanborough, P.Bowers United States Navy Aircraft Since 1911 (Putnam)

MACCHI M.5

During its operations from the Italian base of Porto Corsini from July 1918 until the Armistice, the US Navy operated at least eight single-seat Italian Macchi M.5 fighter flying-boats. These were used to escort bombers and with the French Hanriots were the only seaplane fighters flown in combat by American pilots in either of the World Wars. One M.5 had been sent to the US for evaluation in 1917. Power plant, 160 hp Isotta-Fraschini V-4B. Span, 39ft; length, 26ft 2in; gross weight, 2,266 lb; max speed, 118 mph.

Jane's All The World Aircraft 1919

MACCHI "5"
Type of machine Single-seater Waterplane.
Name or type No. of machine M5.
Purpose for which Intended Hunter.
Span 11.90m.
Gap 1.90 m.
Overall length 8 m.
Maximum height 2.85 m.
Chord Upper plane, 1.60 m.;
   Lower plane, 1.10 m.
Total surface of wings 29 sq. m.
Span of tail 2.87 m.
Total area of tail 3.95 sq. m.
Elevator, maximum 2.87 x 0.55 m.
Rudder, maximum 1.20 x 0.55 m.
Fin, maximum 2.50 x 0.65 m.
Ailerons, total area 3.75 sq. m.
Fuselage dimensions 1.00 x 0.85 sq. m.
Engine type and h.p. Isotta Fraschini V4b., 160 h.p.
Airscrew, diam.,pitch and revs. 2.55 m., 15.00.
Weight of machine empty 700 kilos.
Load per sq. m. 35,5 kilos.
Weight per h.p. 6.45 kilos.
Tank capacity In hours 3.15 hours.
Performance.
   Speed low down 189 k.p.h.
   Climb.
   To 4.000 metres in minutes 20 mins.
   Total useful load 270_kgs.
   Total weight of machine fully loaded
   970 kgs.

W.Green, G.Swanborough The Complete Book of Fighters

MACCHI M.5 (TIPO M) Italy

   The Societa Anonima Nieuport-Macchi (predecessor of Aeronautica Macchi) gained experience in flying boat design by producing improved copies of the Austro-Hungarian Lohner 'boat. Early in 1917, engineers Buzio and Calzavara developed a single-seat fighter for the Regia Marina based on the L.3 (M.3) two-seat bomber-reconnaissance flying boat. Initially known as the Tipo (Type) M, the fighter was of wooden construction with fabric and plywood skinning, and was powered by a six-cylinder Isotta-Fraschini V.4B engine strut-mounted above the hull and driving a pusher propeller, maximum output being 187 bhp. The pilot sat beneath the radiator and was provided with a single 7,7-mm Vickers machine gun. Intended for use in the Adriatic, the Tipo M was fully aerobatic, further prototypes being produced as Tipo Ma and, with control refinements, as Tipo M bis and Ma bis, the last-mentioned entering production and the designation M.5 subsequently being adopted. The M.5 entered service with the Regia Marina in November 1917, frequently escorting bombers attacking Austro-Hungarian naval bases in the Adriatic and proving faster than opposing Phonix land-based fighters. The single Vickers gun was replaced by a twin-gun arrangement in some aircraft, and a total of 244 was built (44 of these by the Societa Aeronautica Italiana) of which 68 were completed in 1917, and production giving place to the M.5 mod during 1918.

Max speed, 117 mph (189 km/h).
Time to 3,280 ft (1 000 m), 3.5 min.
Endurance, 3.66 hrs.
Empty weight, 1,587 lb (720 kg).
Loaded weight, 2,183 lb (990 kg).
Span, 39 ft 0 1/2 in (11,90 m).
Length, 26 ft 6 1/8 in (8,08 m).
Height, 9 ft 4 1/4 in (2,85 m).
Wing area, 301.4 sqft (28,00 m2).


MACCHI M.5 MOD Italy

   Early in 1918, Nieuport-Macchi developed a more powerful version of the M.5 single-seat fighter flying boat as an interim measure pending availability of the higher-performance M.7. The latter was being developed to the designs of Alessandro Tonini to counter the increased efficacy of Austro-Hungarian fighters being encountered over the Adriatic. Designated M.5 mod, the interim fighter achieved enhanced performance by using a 247 bhp Isotta-Fraschini V.6 engine, its installation being accompanied by a 7-ft 2 5/8-in (2,20-m) reduction in the span of the upper wing. A twin 7,7-mm Vickers gun armament was standardised. One hundred M.5 mod fighters were built, these progressively replacing the M.5s in Regia Marina service, and 66 of them were still on strength when the Regia Aeronautica was formed in 1923. These subsequently gave place to the M.7ter in the mid-’twenties.

Max speed, 127 mph (205 km/h).
Time to 3,280 ft (1000 m), 3.5 min.
Endurance, 3.66 hrs.
Empty weight, 1,664 lb (755 kg).
Loaded weight, 2,381 lb (1080 kg).
Span, 31ft 9 7/8 in (9,70 m).
Length, 26 ft 6 7/8 in (8,10 m).
Height, 9 ft 4 1/4 in (2,85 m).
Wing area, 279.87 sqft (26,00 m2).


MACCHI M.6 Italy

   Completed in 1917 for comparison with the M.5, the M.6 single-seat fighter differed essentially in having a modified wing cellule. The Vee-type interplane bracing struts and sloping auxiliary Vee struts supporting the overhanging portion of the upper wing gave place to parallel struts positioned farther outboard, additional parallel steel tube struts being introduced farther inboard. The M.6 was similarly powered to the M.5 (Isotta-Fraschini V.4B) and carried a single 7,7-mm Vickers gun. Comparative trials revealed no advantages over the standard M.5 and further development of the M.6 was discontinued.

Max speed, 117 mph (189 km/h).
Time to 13,125 ft (4 000 m), 20 min.
Endurance, 3.0 hrs.
Empty weight, 1,675 lb (760 kg).
Loaded weight, 2,271 lb (1030 kg).
Wing area, 312.16 sqft (29,00 m2).

E.Hauke, W.Schroeder, B.Totschinger Die Flugzeuge der k.u.k. Luftfahrtruppe und Seeflieger 1914-1918

Beuteflugzeuge bei den k.u.k. Seefliegern
Macchi M.5 Nr. 7068 (italienisch) 5.Sqd IF 160
Macchi M.5 (italienisch) IF 160

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

Macchi M.5

  The escalating naval air war between Austro-Hungary and Italy resulted in bomb raids on major coastal cities and naval bases; i.e. Pola and Venice. The performance of the reconnaissance and bomber seaplanes necessitated the creation of a dedicated seaplane bomber force using singleseat fighters. While the KuK could occasionally provide fighter escorts for these vulnerable seaplanes, it was soon recognized that the Regia Marina would need to provide fighter escorts for their own aircraft.
  Several solutions were posited. The Ansaldo license built 100 Sopwith Baby floatplane for use as an interim fighter until an indigenous design could be completed. However, by the time the Baby was available, the M.5 would already be in production.
  It was hoped that the Macchi L.2 and L.3 would serve as a stop gap until a purpose-designed fighter was available. The L.3 would prove to be of limited usefulness as a fighter, while the L.2’s performance degraded so quickly in service that it had to be withdrawn from operational units and used as a trainer.
  Fortunately, the Italian Macchi M.5 would prove to be the solution to the Regia Marina’s requirement. Indeed, to would be produced in greater numbers than any other seaplane fighter.
  Macchi’s design used the available 160-hp Isotta-Fraschini V.4B engine, the same as used on the preceding L.3 flying boat. There could be no hope of counting on increased engine power to provide superior performance; the M.5 would have to depend on its single seat design to reduce weight and on aerodynamic refinements to further boost performance. The M.5 was smaller, not only because it had just one crew member, but also to reduce weight and, hopefully, boost speed and maneuverability. Compared to the L.1, the fuselage length was 20% shorter and the wingspan was 25% smaller. These changes reduced the empty weight by 25%.
  Armament was to be a single machine-gun mounted on post ahead of the windscreen. On pre-production machines the armament would be changed to allow for two machine guns to be carried. There was no need for the complexity or weight of a synchronization system, as the M.5 would have the engine mounted in a pusher configuration.
  Prototype testing resulted in changes to the design. The step was moved up by 30 cm, the bow was shortened by 20 cm. The machine gun was now faired into the forward fuselage. The fin and rudder were placed 30 cm forward. The engine was covered by an aluminum nacelle. The radiator was now a single vertical piece, replacing the dual radiators of the prototype.
  A contract for ten machines was issued on 17 February 1917.
  Testing of initial production M.5s began in May 1917. Test pilots praised its superior speed and rate of climb.
  Eight of the ten M.5s ordered had been delivered by 30 June 1917. They would be used as fighters and reconnaissance machines (According to Varriale these were known as “M.M.” in contemporary documents).
  Operational testing led to further modifications to the tail surfaces. The fin now had a square outline and was mounted directly to the fuselage so the control lines could be located internally and, therefore, be protected from salt water corrosion. The wing tip floats had been mounted flush to the wing tips in the prototype; they were now enlarged and carried on struts. The internal structure of the wing was altered; there were now 27 ribs, instead of 17, for each wing panel. The steel internal structure of the ailerons was now made of wood with a 150% increase in the number of ribs. It is unclear why these changes were introduced; perhaps some of these alterations were intended to boost production.
  As noted above, the M.5 would be used as fighter with a (in production aircraft) non synchronized twin machine gun armament. But the M.5 was also expected to used as a high speed photo reconnaissance aircraft. To that end, a vertical camera was mounted behind a moveable panel located in the lower hull.
  At least one M.5 was modified to carry a 25,4-mm Fiat gun in place of the machine gun armament; 255a Squadriglia had one such aircraft which carried serial 7080 (see entry below).
  The total number of M.5s ordered was 420, of which approximately 348 were actually built. Nieuport-Macchi received an order for 340 and Aeromarittima in Naples was to manufacture 80.

Variants

  M.5 mod - The success of the M.5’s successor, the M.7, resulted in an order for 320 aircraft, as well as a reduction in M.5 orders. This provided an opportunity for Macchi to suggest that the unfinished 70 or so airframes could be converted to a pseudo-M.7 with meant fitting them with the new M.7 wing. This hybrid aircraft would be know as M.5 mod (modification). Varialle notes that there was no intention of fitting these airframes with the M.7’s 250-hp Isotta Fraschini V6 engine. However, postwar, a 1923 order called for 32 M.5s mod to, indeed, be upgraded with 250-hp Isotta Fraschini V6 engines.
  Acceptance flights were carried out in the summer of 1918, and at least two appear to have reached operational units (13132 with 260a Squadriglia in late November 1918 and 13153 at Brindisi in early December). By March 1919 some had also reached the 264a in Ancona.
  M.S a.s. - Long-range version the M.5 mod. Known as M.5 a.s. (a.s. = autonomia speciale 'special range’). It had an endurance of five hours, a 30% increase over the standard M.5 mod. The reason for the alteration is not known, but as the M.5 was intended as fast reconnaissance aircraft, the longer endurance would make it a high-speed, long-range reconnaissance aircraft, similar to the SVAs in service with the Aviazione. At least three were completed with serials 13139, 13152, and 13153.

Production
  M.M. - 10 ordered 4866 to 4875
  M.5 - 50 ordered 7056 to 7195
  M.5 - 77 ordered 7225 to 7302
  M.5 - 166 ordered 13088 to 13185; M.5 mod. is in this serial range as 13129 to 13185
  M.5 - 44 ordered 14078 to 14122
  Total production was 348 aircraft
  List based on Varialle, Macchi M.S.

Operational Service

  By 1 July, aircraft 4866 and 4867 were on strength of the 251a Squadriglia in Venice (I Reparti Dell’Aviazione Italian della Grande Guerra suggest that these became operational much later).
  The aircraft were used in their intended fighter escort role and their performance represented a marked improvement over the L.3s then in service. The Fiat gun had a tendency to jam, but this was a common problem with Italian aviation weapons and was usually due to problems with the ammunition and not the gun, itself.
  The Regia Marina supplied fighter aircraft in small numbers to operational units in to provide escort during reconnaissance and bombing missions. As the M.5s were produced, they were sent in small numbers to the units that faced the gravest threat from Austro-Hungarian fighters.
  Eventually, production reached the point it was possible to create squadriglias with a dedicated fighter role.
  Designated as Gruppo Idrovolanti da Caccia (Seaplane Fighter Group), 260a and 261a Squadriglias. It is noteworthy that these units were based in Venice, where the need for fighters was the most critical.
  The M.5 was intended to be replaced by M.7s in 1918, but, once again, Italian aviation lagged behind the needs of the frontline units only a small number of M,7s arrived in time to enter service. As a result, the M.5 was the main Italian fighter seaplane of the war.

Postwar

  On 30 September 1919, there were 242 M.5 and 29 M.5 mod, but only 87 were serviceable - all but one were with Regia Marina squadriglias. Naval Stations now operated a mix of aircraft types; the surviving M.5s and M.7s would be used to provide escort for reconnaissance and bomber aircraft.
  Varriale reports that at least one M.5 was used by the aviation element of the Italian insurgent forces in Fiume in 1919.
  When the Regia Aeronautica was formed on 28 March 1923, the surviving M.5s were based at Brindisi and Pola. The 1923-24 seaplane program moved the two M.5 squadriglias to Taranto and Venezia, each with nine aircraft plus reserves.


Foreign Service

United States
  Two M.5s were sent to the U.S.Navy by the Italian government in the hope of enticing the Navy to procure more. These were assigned BuAe (Bureau of Aeronautics) numbers A-5574 and A-5575 after the war.
  The Italian government eagerly welcomed the support of the U.S. Navy in the Adriatic, including U.S. Naval Aviation. The Italians decided to turn over the Porto Corsini and Pescara Stations to them. Porto Corsini was, in the end, the only base to be given to the U.S. On 1 August 1918 the new American unit had three M.5s and five M.8 flying boat fighters (plus ten FBAs). Seven M.5s were not operational initially, so the number available fluctuated between three and six. Varriale reports that the Italians had turned over 15 M.5s, so this gives some idea of the state of the machines.
  Although displeased with the condition of the base, the Navy began combat operations on 21 August.
  On 21 August 21; M.8 19008, while being escorted by four M.5s took off on the missions. Four Phonixes intercepted the Americans. George Ludlow, in M.5 13015, along with Austin Parker and Charles H. Hammann engaged the Austrian aircraft. The M.5s of Dudley Voorhees, could not follow because his machine gun jammed. Ludlow attacked the lead Phonix; A.102, which he claimed as destroyed although the Austrians stated the aircraft was destroyed when its fuel system spontaneously ignited. Stephan Woleman was attacked by A.118. Hits from 8-mm machine guns ignited his engine and the Macchi burst into flames. Hammann landed on the water to help his friends; Ludlow sunk his plane before boarding Hammann’s plane. Harmann would later receive the Medal of Honor for this action; the first to be earned by an aviator of the U.S. Navy.
  The next day M.S No.7293 and M.5 No.7294 flown by Ensign Johansen and Seargent Guarniere made a reconnaissance of Pola.
  As the M.5s were worn out, and it took considerable effort to make them operational. Six new M.5 were shipped to Porto Corsini on 6 September.
  263a continued to attack Pola, but as the number of M.8 bombers was limited, they could only stage a few bombing raids. Pola was attacked on October 22 with 11 aircraft, including at least two M.5s: 7293 and 13076. On the afternoon of 25 October, 263a’s airplanes joined with other aircraft based at Venice to make a large bombing raid on Pola.
  On 2 November four M.5s were sent on an armed patrol of the Pola station; these were 13076, 13085, 13086, and 13089. The patrol failed to reach their target due to the weather, and 13076 had to briefly set down due to equipment failure. Eventually, all the M.5s made it back to base.
  On January 1st, 1919 the Station was formally taken back by the Regia Marina.
  The two M.5s still in the United States had brief careers. One crashed when it entered a spin; it killed Ensign Hammann before he could be awarded the Medal of Honor.
  The c/n numbers of the M.5s supplied to the U.S. Navy were 7225, 7229, 7241, 7251, 7268, 7293, 7294, 7299, 13015, 13021, 13027, 13047, 13075, 13076, 13077, 13079, 13085, 13086, 13088, 13089, 13091, 13102, 13129.



Macchi M.6

  The Macchi M.6 was a variant of the M.5 in which the Nieuport firm’s favored sesquiplane layout was eliminated. In its place, there were equal span, single bay wings without sweepback. As the struts were located on the outer section of the wings, auxiliary supports made of steel tubing were placed on either side of the engine nacelle.
  Designated M.6, the aircraft was found not to offer any advantages over the M.5. Further development was, therefore, abandoned. However, the M.6 did influence the design of the next Macchi aircraft, the M.7.


Macchi M.6 Single-Seat Flying Boat Fighter with One 160-hp Isotta Fraschini V.4B Engine
  Wing area. 29,00 sq m
  Empty weight 760 kg; payload; loaded weight 1,030 kgs
  Maximum speed 189 km/h; climb to 4000 m in 20 minutes; endurance 3 hours.
  Armament was one 7,7-mm Vickers machine gun
  One built

Журнал Flight

Flight, January 24, 1918.

FROM OTHER LANDS.
THE ITALIAN "MACCHI" FIGHTING FLYING BOAT.

   THE Macchi single-seater fighting aeroplane is one of the most efficient flying boats ever built. Owing to the fineness of its construction, its light weight, and high-powered motor, it is able to ascend to an altitude of 13,000 ft. in only 18 minutes. In a single-seater fighting machine quick climb is, of course, one of the most important essentials of performance, although this adaptability to climbing rapidly is not generally associated with machines of the flying boat class.
   Head resistance has been reduced to a minimum, especially in regard to interplane bracing. The struts and interplane bracing is similar in principle to that employed in the French Nieuport scout - the single pair of V-struts, the narrow lower plane, and the outline of the planes themselves bear a resemblance to the Nieuport. The Macchi is provided with steel tube overhung braces, because of the area extending beyond the interplane struts.
   The overall dimensions of the machine are: Span 39 ft. 4 7/16 ins.; overall length, 27 ft. 3 ins.; overall height 9 ft. 10 1/16 ins. There is a lifting surface of 301 square ft and the loading per square ft. is 6.85 lbs. When empty the machine weighs 1,510 lbs. When fully loaded to its gross weight of 2,060 lbs., the military weight is distributed as follows: Petrol and lubricating oil, 265 lbs.; pilot, 175 lbs; two Fiat machine guns, both firing forward, 110 lbs. Total weight of useful load carried, 550 lbs. Near the surface of the water the machine can travel at a rate of 112 m.p.h. In the first four minutes it can climb to 3,250 ft.; eight minutes, 6,500 ft. twelve and one half minutes, 10,000 ft. Sufficient petrol and oil is carried for an air endurance of three hours.
   The Isotta-Fraschini engine, with which the Macchi boat is equipped, is known as the V4B. This is a six-cylinder vertical type with nominal h.p. of 150 and a bench-test normal h.p. of 190 at 1,400 r.p.m. Bore, 5.2 ins; stroke, 7.1 ins. Overall dimensions of the V4B - length, 5 ft 5/16 ins.; height 3 ft. 3 1/8 ins.; width, 2 ft. 3 15/16 ins. Carburettors, Zenith; magnetos, Marelli. The weight of the engine complete, dry, is 573 lbs. Its weight per b.h.p. is 3.01 lbs.
   Petrol is consumed at the rate of 8.82 oz per hour; oil consumption per b.h.p., 7 oz.