Caproni Ca.114

Caproni

Industry	Aerospace
Founded	1908
Headquarters	Italy

The Caproni Ca.114 was an Italian biplane fighter developed in the early 1930s, which later saw active service within Peru during the 1930s and 1940s.

Design

Conceived by the Caproni firm in 1933, the Ca.114 was intended to compete for a contract with the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Royal Air Force) as a new single-seat fighter. Its structure was based on the earlier Caproni Ca.113 trainer model, featuring a single-bay biplane configuration with staggered wings of equal length. The fuselage construction utilized steel tubing, with removable metal panels covering the forward section and fabric stretched over the rear. The wings consisted of wooden spars covered in fabric.

Power was supplied by a geared, supercharged Bristol Mercury IV radial engine delivering 395 kilowatts (530 horsepower) at an altitude of 4,000 meters (13,125 feet). This engine turned a three-bladed propeller with adjustable pitch. Armament included two fixed, forward-firing 7.7-millimeter machine guns.

Operational history

Following official evaluations, the Regia Aeronautica opted against adopting the Ca.114, selecting the Fiat CR.32 instead. Despite this, Caproni secured a contract with the Peruvian Aviation Corps, which ordered twelve units in April 1934. Deliveries were completed in two shipments: the first arriving in late November 1934 and the second in January 1935. These aircraft were assigned to the 2do Escuadron de Caza (2nd Fighter Squadron), part of the Primer Escuadrón de Aviación (First Aviation Squadron), stationed at the newly established "Teniente Coronel Pedro Ruiz Gallo" base in Chiclayo.

By 1939, only one loss had been reported before the fleet underwent refurbishment at the Caproni facility in Lima. During this overhaul, the bulky exhaust collector ring was removed and replaced with individual exhaust stacks, likely enhancing maximum speed. The original red-and-black paint scheme was also replaced by an overall silver dope finish. Ten surviving Ca.114s participated within the 42 and 43 Escuadrillas (flights) of the XXI Escuadrón de Caza (Fighter Squadron), alongside six more advanced North American NA-50 fighters.

Post-war, these aircraft were retired from combat roles; four were reassigned to training duties at Las Palmas airbase in Lima until late 1944 when they were grounded and subsequently dismantled.

Operators

Template:PER

• Cuerpo Aeronáutico del Perú (Peruvian Aviation Corps)

1934–1935

The 2nd Fighter Squadron of the 1st Aviation Squadron operated nine aircraft, conducting training activities at Las Palmas airfield in Lima, with an additional three units held in reserve.

1935–1938

The 2nd Fighter Squadron within the 1st Aviation Squadron maintained nine aircraft under its command at Teniente Coronel Pedro Ruiz Gallo Air Base in Chiclayo. Meanwhile, the Military Aviation School "Jorge Chávez" based at Las Palmas, Lima, possessed three aircraft.

1939–1942

The 42nd and 43rd Flights, both part of the 21st Fighter Squadron, initially operated three aircraft each, with their strength increasing to five aircraft per flight starting June 1941. These units were stationed at Teniente Coronel Pedro Ruiz Gallo Air Base in Chiclayo. Additionally, the 5th Training Squadron operated two aircraft out of Las Palmas Air Base in Lima.

1942–1944

The 28th Training Squadron, based at Las Palmas in Lima, was equipped with four aircraft during this period.

Specifications

File:Caproni Ca.114 front quarter view.jpg

References

• Green, William & Swanborough, Gordon. The Complete Book of Fighters: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Every Fighter Aircraft Built and Flown. Smithmark Publishers, New York, 1994. ISBN 0-8317-3939-8.
• Taylor, Michael J. H. Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. Studio Editions, London, 1989, p.235.
• Tincopa, Amaru & Rivas, Santiago. Axis Aircraft in Latin America. Crécy Publishing Limited, Manchester, UK, 2016. ISBN 978-1-90210-949-7.
• World Aircraft Information Files. Bright Star Publishing, London. File 891 Sheet 10.