The Macchi M.18 entered service in 1920 and belonged to a family of aircraft the Regia Marina already trusted. Instead of inventing a new aviation system, the Navy shaped its doctrine and seaplane carriers around equipment with known handling and maintenance characteristics. Older variants remained in use long enough that some may have performed unexpected missions during the Second World War. This continuity reduced technical and institutional risk while allowing naval aviation to develop inside the sphere the Navy still controlled. Seaplanes also retained an unusually strong cultural profile in Italy, later reflected in stories such as Porco Rosso.
Chapter · 39:21-44:26
Macchi M.18s anchor a familiar aviation system
The Regia Marina built ships and doctrine around proven Macchi seaplanes, extending a familiar capability instead of attempting an entirely new carrier system.