Caproni Ca.193

Caproni

Industry	Aerospace
Founded	1908 in Milan, Italy
Headquarters	Milan , Italy

Template:Infobox aircraft

The Caproni Ca.193 was an Italian aircraft designed for liaison duties and air-taxi operations, proposed to the Italian Air Force as a trainer for instrument flying and to the Italian Navy for liaison roles. Its development commenced in 1945, with only a single prototype constructed. This model represents the final design and manufacturing effort by the Caproni company in Milan.

Design and development

Constructed entirely from metal, the aircraft features cantilever mid-mounted wings with removable tips. The wings have swept-back leading edges and employ stressed-skin construction, incorporating flaps positioned inside of the ailerons. The fuselage utilises a monocoque design, including a hinged nose section to facilitate loading of stretchers or bulky cargo. Interior arrangements allow for either one pilot plus five passengers or two pilots accompanied by three passengers. Access is provided through doors on both sides of the cabin, with a baggage compartment situated behind the rear seats. The tail assembly consists of twin fins mounted at the extremities of a dihedral stabiliser, while elevators and rudders are covered with fabric. The landing gear is a hydraulically retractable tricycle type. Powerplants are mounted near the trailing edge of the wing, each driving two-bladed fixed-pitch pusher propellers. Although initially intended to be equipped with Blackburn Cirrus Major III engines, the prototype was ultimately fitted with Walter Minor 6-III engines.

Operational history

The prototype, bearing the registration I-POLO as a tribute to its creators, took to the skies for the first time on 13 May 1949, piloted by Tullio De Prato at Milan's Linate Airport. Following initial evaluations, the aircraft underwent a brief period of military testing in Rome. However, it was subsequently returned to the manufacturer without securing any procurement contracts. Various adaptations were proposed afterward, including versions powered by turboprop engines, a naval patrol variant equipped with radar, and a 'colonial' edition, though none of these concepts reached production.

In March 1950, the Air Force acquired the aircraft under the designation MM56701. By July 1952, it transitioned into civilian hands and was operated by the Trento Aero Club at Gardolo Airport until its retirement in 1960. After undergoing restoration in 1991, it is currently exhibited at the Gianni Caproni Museum of Aeronautics located in Trento, Italy.

Specifications

File:Caproni Ca.193 3-view.svg

Three-view diagram