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Caproni Ca.18

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ca.18
Role Reconnaissance aircraft
Manufacturer Caproni
Designer Gianni Caproni
First flight 1913
Introduction 1915
Caproni Ca.18 side view

The Caproni Ca.18 was a military reconnaissance aircraft built in Italy shortly prior to World War I. It became the first Italian-designed and -built aircraft to see service with the Italian armed forces. The Ca.18 was a monoplane of conventional configuration and fixed tailskid undercarriage. The wings were mounted to the fuselage with a bayonet fitting, to facilitate the rapid erection and dismantling of the aircraft.

Originally designed for a government competition in early 1913, no production order for the aircraft was forthcoming until the nationalisation of the Caproni company later in the year, whereupon a small batch was built for the 15th Squadron.

Operators

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 Kingdom of Italy

Specifications

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General characteristics

  • Crew: 2, pilot and observer
  • Length: 7.67 m (25 ft 2 in)
  • Wingspan: 10.92 m (35 ft 10 in)
  • Height: 2.90 m (9 ft 6 in)
  • Wing area: 22 m2 (237 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 400 kg (880 lb)
  • Gross weight: 600 kg (1,320 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Gnome rotary , 60 kW (80 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 120 km/h (75 mph, 65 kn)
  • Endurance: 5 hours

References

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  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 231.
  • Jane, Fred T. Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1913. London: Sampson Low Marston. p. 174.
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