Caproni Campini Ca.183bis

Caproni-Campini

Industry	Aerospace
Headquarters	Italy , Italy

The Caproni-Campini Ca.183bis represented an Italian concept for a high-altitude fighter designed to combine both piston-driven and jet propulsion systems.

Design and development

The Ca.183bis was planned to be powered by a 1,250 hp (930 kW) Daimler-Benz DB 605 engine located in the nose, which would drive a six-blade contra-rotating propeller. Complementing this, a secondary piston engine positioned behind the cockpit was intended to operate a Campini compressor, providing an additional jet thrust expected to increase speed by approximately 100 kilometres per hour (62 mph). This configuration aimed for a maximum velocity near 740 kilometres per hour (460 mph) and an operational range of around 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi). Armament was projected to include one cannon of either 20 mm or 30 mm caliber mounted in the propeller hub, supplemented by four 20 mm cannons installed within the wings. The aircraft's estimated weight was about 7,500 kilograms (16,500 lb).

By the time Italy signed the armistice, the prototype had reached roughly 80% completion. Following Mussolini’s rescue with assistance from German forces and his subsequent appointment as head of the Italian Social Republic in September 1943, efforts to finalize the prototype persisted under Italian control. Nevertheless, ongoing assaults targeting military installations impeded progress, and it is believed that the prototype was likely destroyed during 1944.

External links

• worldatwar.net
• warandgame.wordpress.com