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

MACCHI M.8

At least eight Italian Macchi M.8 two-seat light bombing flying-boats were used by US Naval forces operating from Porto Corsini on the Adriatic sea, which became an inactive station in July 1918. These two-seaters were used several times for bombing raids against the Austrian bases at Pola and were highly successful in this little-known phase of Naval aviation history. Power plant, 160hp Isotta-Fraschini V-4B. Span, 45 ft 5 in; length, 29 ft 7 in; gross weight, 3,100 lb; max speed, 103 mph.

Jane's All The World Aircraft 1919

MACCHI "8"
Type of machine Two-seater Seaplane.
Name or type No. of machine M8.
Purpose for which Intended Scouting.
Span 13.8 m.
Gap 2 m.
Length 9 m.
Maximum height 3.25 m.
Chord Upper plane. 1.75 m.;
   lower plane, 1.59 m.
Total surface of wings 40 sq.m.
Span of tail 3.270 m.
Area of tail 3 sq. m.
Elevator 3.27 x 0.7 m., 1.70 x 0.7 m.
Fin 8 x 0.58.
Area of ailerons 4.50 sq.m.
Fuselage 1.23 x 1.08.
Engine type and h.p. Isotta Fraschini V4 B. 160 h.p.
Airscrew, diam. and revs. 2.7 m. 1500 revs.
Weight of machine empty 900 kgs.
Load 35 kgs. per sq. m.
Weight per h.p. 8.75 kgs.
Tank capacity in hours 4 hours.
Performance.
   Speed low down 167 k.p.h.
   Climb.
   To 5,000 metres in minutes 55 mins.
   Total useful load 500 kgs.
   Total weight of machine fully loaded
   1.400 kgs.


MACCHI "9"

Nation: Italy
Manufacturer: SA Nieuport-Macchi
Entered Combat: 1918
Endurance: 4 hrs.
Armament: 1 machine gun
Crew: 2
Ceiling: 18,050 ft. (5,500 m)

Type of machine Two-seater Seaplane.
Name or type No. of machine M9.
Purpose for which intended Scouting and Bombing.
Span 15.4 ms.
Gap 2 m.
Maximum length 9.4 m.
Maximum height 3.25 m.
Chord Upper wing. 1.8 m.;
   lower wing. 1.6 m.
Total surface of wings 48.5 sq. m.
Elevator 3.50 x 0.65 m.
Rudder 1.75 x 0.70 m.
Fin 3.10 x 0.75 m.
Area of ailerons and total area 4.10 x 0.75 m. 6.15 sq. m.
Fuselage, horizontal and vertical 4.10 x 0.75 m.
Engine type and h.p. Fiat. A 12 bis. 280 h.p.
Airscrew, diam. and revs. 2.65 m. 1600 revs.
Weight of machine empty 1,250 kgs.
Load per sq. m. 37 Kgs.
Weight per h.p. 6.4 kgs.
Tank capacity in hours 4 hours
Performance.
   Speed low down 187.5 km.p.h.
   Climb.
   To 5,000 m. in minutes 40 mins.
   Total useful load 550 kgs.
   Total weight of machine fully loaded 1800 kgs.

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

Macchi M.8

  At the end of 1917 Nieuport-Macchi, having studied the structural and aerodynamic characteristics of traditional rectangular-bay biplanes when they built the Hanriot HD.1s under license, designed the radically different M.8. It should be noted that the previous wartime Macchi aircraft had used the Nieuport firms (formally the firm’s name was Nieuport-Macchi) techniques for construction, Having now seen the advantages of using a more robust layout presented the firm with an opportunity to construct seaplanes that were lightweight, but also sturdy enough to survive a maritime environment.
  The M.8 was a heavily modified L.3 with two triangular bays formed with wooden struts of adjustable length. Aside from being fundamentally stiffer, the new wing arrangement reduced drag. This resulted in a significant improvement in speed, which was increased from 145 to 165 km/hr, although the original 160-hp engine was still retained. The wing had a longer span and wider chord than the lower wing.
  Armament was a single machine gun in the forward cockpit. On reconnaissance missions a crew of three was usually carried, as a bomber, to help offset the weight of the bombs, there were only two crewmen.
  The M.8 seaplane, of which 30 examples were built, was employed by the Regia Marina for antisubmarine and coastal patrol duties, the same as the L.3s they were intended to replace.

Operational Service

251a Squadriglia
  In the spring of 1918 the L.3s were joined by the new M.8. In response to the last Austrian offensive in the second half of June the Squadriglia attacked land targets and strafed Austrian troops.
  The unit was intensely involved in reconnaissance and bombing attacks on land and maritime targets, including Pola during the summer.

252a Squadriglia
  In 17 July, 1918 one of the new M.8s, serial 19018, arrived. Flown by sottocapo nocchiere Domenico Nocetti and observer sottotenente Ottorino Leoni, it attacked Pola. 252a was now concentrating its activities between Piave and Livenza up until the autumn.
  During the victorious offensive of October the unit flew artillery regulation missions as well as bombing and strafing enemy positions. During that month a fire damaged M.8s registered 19012, 19014, and 19023.
  The last war mission of the unit was completed on 4 November. From its formation 252a Squadriglia completed 758 war missions collecting 4.000 photos in the last year. On November 4th 1918 M.8s in service with 252a were numbers 27, 28, 30, 31, and 33.

259a Squadriglia
  In September 1918 and up to the end of hostilities 259a Squadriglia, received the new Macchis M.8s with which it dropped leaflets and newspapers on the Austrian positions. On 4 November 259a Squadriglia had L.3s: the numbers 16, 19, 20 and 24 and four M.8s, numbers 14, 19, 21, and 22.

263a Squadriglia
  263a Squadriglia became the U.S. Naval Air Station of Porto Corsini. The unit flew M.5s and M.8s.
  The Americans had high praise for the M.8, although they found the bottom of the hulls to be weak due to the quality of the wood used.
  The Americans were finally ready for operations on August 2; at that time they had five M.8s, of which three could be considered operational.
  Throughout August, the number of available M.8s fluctuated between two and four. The lack of spare parts was lamented as the cause for the serviceability being so low.
  The first mission was to drop leaflets on Pola. M.8 register 19008 with Walther White and Albert P. Taliaferro escorted by four M.5s took off on the missions. 263 Squadriglia returned to Pola, this time to bomb it. However, with so few M.8s available for bombing these missions were few and far between.
  From 1 September to 10 October the process of returning the base to Italian control was carried out. In early November M.8s 19025, 19007 and 19009 were involved in a hangar fire which also destroyed 19025.
  On 1 January 1919 the Station was formally taken back by the Regia Marina.

289a Squadriglia
  Formed at Varano and equipped with L.3 and M.8s, the unit was disbanded just after the armistice.


Foreign Service

  Sweden -At the end of the month of October /November 1919, the Italians donated two M.8s to the Swedish military. The purpose of this gesture was to inspire additional orders in Italy. One was gifted in conjunction with a visit of four Italian navy pilots, arrived in Sweden in 1919 during a round trip in Northern Europe. The aircraft was assigned number 41 and was based in Karlskrona. It soon became apparent that the engine was unreliable. After several engine repairs, the flying boat was SOC in the autumn of 1921.

  United States - At least eight M.8s were used by the naval personnel at Porto Corsini. For details see 263a Squadriglia.
Known U.S. serials (Porto Corsini, Italy): 19006, 19007, 19008, 19009, 19010, 19025.


Macchi M.8 Two/Three Seat Patrol Flying Boat with One 170-hp Isotta-Fraschini V.4.B Engine
  Wingspan 16 m, length 9,97 m; height 3,33 m; wing area 40 sq m;
  Empty weight 980 kg; loaded weight 1430 kg;
  Maximum speed 162 km/h; range 450 km; climb to 1,000 m in 5 minutes; climb to 2,000 m in 15 minutes; climb to 3,000 m in 23 minutes; climb to 4,000 in 37 minutes; ceiling 5,000 m; range 490 km; endurance four hours
  Armament was one machine gun in a turret fired by the observer
  A total of 30 built



Macchi M.9

  Developed from the M.8, the Macchi M.9 reconnaissance/bomber flying boat appeared in late 1918 and did not see service in the First World War. It closely resembled closely the earlier machine, but its slightly refined structure had marginally increased dimensions and power was provided by a 300-hp Fiat A.12bis engine. Production was to be subcontracted, but in the event only 30 of the type were delivered to the Regia Marina, 18 of them by the end of 1918. The M.9 was credited with an offensive load of either four 100-kg aerial mines or two 135-kg bombs for anti-submarine attacks.
  The M.9 remained in service until 1924.
  Post-war versions included the M.9bis with an enclosed cabin for a pilot and three passengers, and the M.9ter with an Italian-built 300-hp (224-kW) Hispano-Suiza engine and open cockpits for its pilot and three passengers.


Foreign Service

  Argentina - Two M.9s were acquired by the Argentine Navy from the Italian Air Mission in 1919. Serials were BM.9 No.1 and BM.9 No.2 and were based at San Fernanado and Puerto Militar. They were SOC in 1928. One was flown by Alferez Zar and Capitan Gregores in December 1919 on a tour of South America.

  Brazil - Five acquired in 1919. They were assigned serials Nos. 19 to 23, They remained in service until 1923.

  Poland - The Italian Air Mission in Poland offered on February 5, 1920, to supply a complete squadron equipped with 15 M.7s and 15 M.9s. The M.9s were manufactured in 1919 and were new. Since, maritime aviation did not exist in Poland yet, the offer was rejected.
  On 3 December, 1920, the Polish Military Purchase Mission in Rome placed order No. 351/20 for five Macchi M.9s, two-seat, patrol flying boats with Fiat A-12bis engines plus spare parts of airframes were ordered. Initial acceptance was to be made on site in Naples, and after final delivery to Puck.
  On 8 February, 1921, a second order, No. 93/21, was issued for an additional two M.9s. A plan to order 16 more with Fiat engines was considered, but eventually, abandoned. Delivery was by sea to Gdansk-Westerplatte. The whole reached Gdansk at the end of July 1921 on the Rosaalba, together with FBA Type S trainers. In total, seven complete M.9 + spare parts + other equipment were imported.
  Assembly and test flights was by Polish mechanics of the unit. On 10 April 1922, the commission inspected the first M.9s that were at the final stage of assembly. At the time, it was intended to assemble seven complete M.9s, leaving aside for later the assembly of an additional three airframes, which could be assembled from spare parts.
  Italian technicians arrived at the end of June 1922 The aircraft assembled in Puck were dismantled and reassembled. An unofficial flight was carried out. Unfortunately, the wooden structure, stored for 11 months in a damp and unheated hangar, required a thorough renovation, especially the replacement of the plywood covering.The turret rings were mismatched and needed correction. Flights on the M.9s had to be suspended.
  In the Maritime Aviation Workshop in Puck, additional reinforcements of M.9 hulls and wings were undertaken, and they were subsequently approved for flight.
  As the result of this and subsequent repairs, the M.9s became slightly heavier, which reduced their payload, limiting the radius of action. They were still satisfactory for patrol flights and for crew training.
  During the routine flight of 6 October 1919 with the task of choosing a place for the artillery range, an M.9 flying boat was involved in an accident, the crew of Cpt. Obs. Karczewski and lieutenant pil. Ludwik Patalas were killed. The cause of the crash was engine failure.
  All Macchi M.9s had to be re-examined. The work lasted until April 1924. At the same time, assembly of two airframes from spare parts was begun at Puck.
  The M.9s were to be used along with new LeO H13B and CAMS-30E2 flying boats obtained from France. However, by this time, the M.9s were outdated and were used only for training and soon decommissioned.

  Spain - A single M.9 was obtained in 1921. The M.9 was felt to be inferior to the SIAI S.16 and S.16bis.The lone aircraft were assigned to the training unit Escuela de Tiro y Bombardeo (Gunnery and Bombing School) at Los Alcazares. Macchi No. 4 had the top wing removed and was used as a gunnery trainer as a penguin (incapable of flight). It is not known how many M.9s were purchased.


Macchi M.9 Two-Seat Reconnaissance and Bomber Flying Boat with One 300-hp (224-kW) Fiat A.12bis Engine
  Wingspan of 15.45 m; length 9.50 m; height 3.15 m; wing area 48.5 sq m
  Empty weight 1,250 k; payload 550 kg; maximum takeoff weight of 1800 kg
  Maximum speed 187 km/h; climb to 4,000 m in 28 minutes 30 seconds; ceiling 5,500 m; range 700 to 900 km
  Armament comprised one 7.7-mm (0.303-in) machine-gun on a ring mounting in the front cockpit and two 135 kg bombs carried under the wings
  Thirty built for Regia Marine

J.Forsgren Swedish Military Aircraft 1911-1926 (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 68)

Macchi M.8

  A three-seat bomber/reconnaissance biplane flying boat, the Macchi M.8 saw limited action with both Italian and US naval squadrons during the latter stages of the war. In 1919, one solitary Macchi M.8 and one Savoia S.13 (with an additional three S.13s being purchased the following year) were donated by Italy. The M.8 was flown by Count Carlo Nicolis Di Robilant. Formal handover took place on November 9,1919, by Captain Gravina, the then Italian naval attache. A silver plaque with the text ’’IDROVOLANTE MACCHI TIPO 8 IN VOLO AMSTERDAM-ESBJERG-GOTEBORG-STOCKHOLM 20-21 OTTOBRE 1919, PILOTA DI ROBILANT. DONATO DELLA R MARINA ITALIANA ALLA R MARINA SVEDESE NOVEMBRE 1919” was mounted on the hull.
  Taken on charge in November 1919 as serial number 50 (amended the following month to 41), the Macchi M.8 was struck off charge in August 1922. Unfortunately, the Macchi M.8 saw little use due to persistent engine problems.

Macchi M.8 Technical Data and Performance Characteristics
   Engine: 1 x 180 h.p. Franco Tosi (probably a licence-built Isotta Fraschini V4)
   Length: 9,90 m
   Wingspan: 13,80 m
   Height: 3,25 m
   Wing area: n/a
   Empty weight: 980 kg
   Maximum weight: 1,400 kg
   Maximum speed: 140 km/h
   Armament: -