Caproni Ca.100

Caproni

Industry	Aerospace
Founded	January 1, 1908 (1908-01-01) in Italy
Headquarters	Italy
Products	Aircraft

The Caproni Ca.100 served as the primary training aircraft for the Regia Aeronautica throughout the 1930s. This tandem-seat biplane, accommodating two occupants, was produced in significant quantities and equipped with a variety of engines.

Design and development

Known affectionately as the Caproncino, meaning "little Caproni," the Ca.100 was derived from the de Havilland DH.60 Moth, for which Caproni held a manufacturing licence. Modifications included a reduction in size of the upper wing relative to the lower wing and a redesigned tailplane. The wing configuration maintained the Moth’s characteristics, featuring neither sweep nor stagger. Constructed with a wooden framework and covered in fabric, this single-engine aircraft had a fuselage of square cross-section built around four longerons, with tandem open cockpits. Its landing gear was fixed and followed a conventional undercarriage layout. Fuel was stored in a streamlined tank positioned on the centre section of the upper wing, consistent with the Moth’s design. The Ca.100’s maiden flight occurred in late 1928 at Milan-Taliedo, piloted by Domenico Antonini.

Various powerplants were fitted to the Ca.100 during its production. The most frequently used engines included the 85 kW (114 hp) Isotta Fraschini Asso 80R and the 108 kW (145 hp) Colombo S.63, both six-cylinder air-cooled inline types, as well as uncowled seven-cylinder radial engines such as the 63 kW (84 hp) Fiat A.50 and 104 kW (139 hp) A.54. Additional engine options ranged between 60-100 kW (80-135 hp) and encompassed radial types like the Walter NZ-85, Farini T.58, Fiat A.53, and Fiat A.60, alongside inline engines including the Colombo S.53, Cirrus Major, de Havilland Gipsy, and de Havilland Gipsy Major.

Operational history

The Regia Aeronautica acquired two prototype Ca.100s plus approximately 675 production models, which were manufactured not only by Caproni but also by companies such as Bergamasche, Breda, C.N.A., and Macchi. Among these, 30 units produced by Macchi were outfitted with floats and designated as Ca.100 Idro. Primarily employed as basic trainers, some Ca.100s also fulfilled liaison duties.

At least eight aircraft were constructed for civilian touring purposes, with retired military examples later entering civilian registers.

Exports included deliveries to Peru and Portugal. In Peru, twelve Ca.100PR variants—featuring an all-metal airframe and powered by a 125 hp (93 kW) Kinner B-5 radial engine—were produced under licence by Fábrica Nacional de Aviones Caproni Perú, Caproni’s local subsidiary starting in 1937. These Peruvian Ca.100PRs remained operational within their air force until 1946, after which four surviving examples were transferred to the Peruvian Civil Aviation School where they continued service until 1956.

Caproni’s Bulgarian branch manufactured the aircraft under the designation KB-1 Peperuda (meaning butterfly). Seven units equipped with 120 hp (89 kW) Walter NZ 120 engines were built in 1932, alongside two additional floatplane versions presented to the Bulgarian government by Gianni Caproni. However, due to issues related to wooden structural components, these Bulgarian aircraft were withdrawn from service within two years.

One Ca.100 Idro seaplane set a world altitude record for seaplanes at 5,324 m (17,467 ft) in 1931.

Surviving aircraft

File:Aerodrome Côme 3.JPG

I-ABOU at Lake Como.

The last remaining original Ca.100 landplane still in flight is the ex-military I-ABMT, registered MM55194. The Aero Club Como operates the floatplane variant I-ABOU, formerly MM65156, which was restored following a collision during takeoff in 2006 and returned to flight in September 2010. Additionally, at least one replica of this model is currently airworthy.

Aircraft on display

In May 2007, the Italian Air Force Museum located at Vigna di Valle added the landplane I-GTAB to its collection; it bears the registration FIR-9, reflecting its service with a Ca.100 unit at the Florence basic Flying School during the mid-1930s.

File:Caproni Ca.100 Idro 2009-06-02.JPG

Caproni Ca.100 Idro floatplane version exhibited at the Museo dell'Aeronautica Gianni Caproni, Trento.

The floatplane model, previously registered I-DISC and MM56237, is displayed at the Museo dell'Aeronautica Gianni Caproni in Trento.

The aircraft with registrations I-BIZZ and MM56271 is part of the collection at the Royal Saudi Air Force Museum.

Operators

Template:AUT

• Austrian Air ForceTemplate:Fix/category

Template:BUL

• Bulgarian Air Force

Template:Country data Kingdom of Italy

• Regia Aeronautica

Template:ITA

• Italian Air Force

Peru

• Peruvian Air Force

Template:POR

• Portuguese Air Force - One unit operated.

Template:ESP

• Spanish Air Force

Template:SAU

• Royal Saudi Air Force