Macchi M.26

The Macchi M.26 was an Italian single-seat flying boat fighter aircraft designed and built by Macchi during the 1920s. It was developed from the earlier Macchi M.20, featuring a more powerful engine and an improved aerodynamic design. The M.26 was intended for use by the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Royal Air Force).

The aircraft was a single-engine, high-wing monoplane with a pusher propeller configuration. Its hull formed a boat-like structure, providing buoyancy for water landings and takeoffs. Armament typically consisted of two machine guns mounted in the nose.

Despite demonstrating promising performance during testing, the Macchi M.26 did not enter mass production or see widespread service. Only a small number of prototypes were built. Factors contributing to its limited production may have included evolving military requirements and the availability of alternative aircraft designs.

While not widely known, the Macchi M.26 represents an example of the Italian aviation industry's experimentation with flying boat fighter designs during the interwar period.