Caproni Ca.11
| Industry | Aircraft manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Founded | early 1910s |
| Headquarters | Italy |
The Caproni Ca.11 was a monoplane powered by a single engine, developed and constructed by Caproni during the early years of the 1910s.
Design
The Caproni Ca.11 featured a high-wing monoplane configuration with a wooden framework covered in fabric. It utilized wing warping for roll control, supported by metal tension rods linking the wings to both the fuselage and an overhead structural element. The fuselage consisted of a wooden lattice frame strengthened with metal cables and was covered with fabric only on its forward section. Similarly, the tail assembly was built from wood and fabric. The fixed landing gear comprised two main wheels equipped with anti-overrun pads at the front, accompanied by a smaller tail skid. A key distinction from preceding models was its propulsion system: a French-manufactured 7-cylinder radial Gnome engine delivering 50 hp.
Operational use
Designed primarily as a single-seat trainer and for military experimental roles, the Ca.11's robust design and construction enabled it to achieve several significant accomplishments, including setting multiple speed records in February 1912.
On 12 February, pilot Enrico Cobioni—who earned his pilot’s license at Caproni’s flight school in Vizzola Ticino—completed twenty laps around a 5 km closed circuit in a total time of 66 minutes and 30 seconds, covering 100 km. This performance established a new Italian record for the 100 km circuit, averaging a speed of 90.225 km/h, as well as for the 5 km lap itself, with an average speed of 91.370 km/h (equivalent to 3 minutes and 17 seconds per lap). These records were officially recognized by commissioners Augusto Vogel and Gustavo Moreno.
Two days later, on 14 February, Cobioni surpassed the national altitude record by reaching 1,150 meters within just 15 minutes. During this flight, he also covered 1,582 meters in 53 seconds, achieving a top speed of 106.242 km/h and setting a new Italian straight-line speed record.
Specifications
See also
References
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