It was powered by a 420hp Fiat A.20 engine set in a pusher configuration mounted on struts above the hull and below the main upper wing, just like the previous M.26.
It had an oblique radiator and it enjoyed of some very aerodynamically clean lines considering the type of airplane.
It competed against the SIAI S.58bis back in 1927 for the contest but Macchi didn't receive any production order, so they built only the very first prototype. Initially, the winner of the contest was the SIAI S.58bis and 97 production orders were placed, however in the last minute the Regia Marina broke the contract and decided to re-engine the aging M.7ter.
As the Regia Marina organized another contest in 1929 for another M.7ter replacement, Macchi redesigned the M.41 and named it M.41bis, which was basically a regular M.41 but with a vertical radiator. As it outperformed the SIAI S.58bis Macchi was finally granted with a production contract of 41 airplanes.
All the M.41bis entered into service in 1930 serving in the 88ª Gruppo Autonomo Caccia Maritima (88th Floatplane Fighter Autonomous Squadron) where they served until 1938 when they were replaced by the IMAM Ro.44.
Some of them were sent to Spain during the opening stages of the Spanish Civil War where they served from September 1936 until January 1937 at the base of Pollensa, in Palma de Mallorca, located in the Balearic Islands. They were assigned in the Escuadrilla Nº130 (Flight number 130) which was on charge of defending the port of Palma de Mallorca against possible Republican air raids. However, as the Republican didn't raid the port, they weren't used in combat.
Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macchi_M.41
2. http://fotosantiguasdemallorca.blogspot.com.es/2011/07/la-base-de-hidroaviones-de-pollensa-y.html (translated)
3. Salamander Books - The Complete Book of FIghters
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