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Thread: Caproni Ca 1 to Ca5 – Giant Bombers

  1. #1

    Default Caproni Ca1 to Ca5 – Giant Bombers

    Hello,

    The belief still persists in many quarters that Britain an Germany, with their Handley Pages and Gothas, were the first to make widespread use of airplane for heavy bombing.

    In fact, both Italy and Russia had evolved aircraft suitable for this type of operation well before the outbreak of WWI.

    The Italian Ca had made several long-range bombing raids on Austro-Hungarian targets well before the Handley Page O/100 had even flown.

    The first Caproni (Ca) giant was designed in 1913, setting the pattern for future developments. The Ca 1 (prototype) had three engines, an 80 hp Gnome rotary engine with a pusher propeller at the rear of the nacelle and two other 80 hp Gnomes tractor propeller on the wings. It went to production with 100 hp Fiat in-line engines. Were built 162 Ca 1 - (1914-16).



    Nine Ca 1, had their central engine replace by a 150 hp Isotta-Fraschini V4B in-line engine, and became designate Ca 2. They continue to serve in night operations until the appearance of the Ca 3 in 1917.

    The powerplant of the Ca 3 compromised three 150 hp Isotta-Fraschini V4B in–lines. Were built 270 Ca 3 – (1916-18).



    They equipped well over a dozen “squadrigglie” of the “Corpo Aeronautica Militare”, and one Italian Naval squadron in Albania.

    Others were built (86), under license in France, and served with two “escadrilles” of the “Aviation Mitilaire Francese”. Several Ca3 were still in service at the Armistice.

    The mitilary designation Ca 4 was applied to a series of much larger triplanes. The first of which appeared in late 1917 and were powered by three 200 hp Isotta-Fraschini, but their combined output was insufficient for an airplane of this size. Only three were built with this engine and more 12 in 1918 with 270 hp Isotta-Fraschinis. Some were powered with 400 hp Liberty engines in 1918, but all were to slow for daylight bombing and were employed principally on night missions.



    The Ca 5 series marked a return to a biplane configuration, and were slightly bigger than the Ca 3. they had three Fiat engines of 200 hp. Were built 255 Ca 5 – (1918), Some were built in France by Esnault-Pelterie.



    The load capability may not seem exceptional in relation to their size, but it must be remember that the majority of their targets were at great distance from their home bases, involving long flights over hazardous mountains.

    The defensive armament were a Revelli machine-gun, or a cannon, in the front for the gunner/observer, and a rear Revelli machine-gun for the gunner on the top wing and directly above the pusher propeller. Can someone tell me what type of cannon was installed in this airplanes and how can we simulate the use of that weapon in the Wings of War?

    My Regards

    Note: in "Bombers (1914-1919) by Kenneth Munson, (ISBN 075370918X)
    Last edited by Carlos Lopes; 02-28-2010 at 07:33.

  2. #2

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    Quote Originally Posted by Carlos Lopes View Post
    The defensive armament were a Revelli machine-gun, or a cannon, in the front for the gunner/observer, and a rear Revelli machine-gun for the gunner on the top wing and directly above the pusher propeller. Can someone tell me what type of cannon was installed in this airplanes and how can we simulate the use of that weapon in the Wings of War?
    A 25mm "pom pom" or a 37mm single-shot(?) cannon, the latter with limited traverse (for ground attack and anti-zeppelin work?).





    Last edited by Zoe Brain; 07-25-2011 at 00:37.



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