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Re: Cant Z 506 Mystery
Following Italys surrender, the Luftwaffe (Sonderkommando Hptm. Gaul) tried to collect as many as possible of former Italian seaplanes that could be used by various Luftwaffe services. This included the Cant Z.506 which was intended for use by the Seenotdienst. The aircraft in question was on a transit flight when shot down by Beaufighters. The aircraft was said to be completely unmarked. It had an Italian pilot and a Luftwaffe Bordfunker from 2./S.A.Gr.125. The other four on board were ground crew.
It is no chance that this aircraft was a He 115. The Luftwaffe did not operate any aircraft of this type in the Med, with one exception. For a period a He 115 was used for torpedo-trials from Grosseto in Italy, but this aircraft is known to have returned safely to Germany. There were no He 115's east of Sicily at any time during the war.
Aircraft identification was a problem throughout the war and mistaking a Z.506 for a He 115 is far from the worst case seen.
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