Caproni Ca.135 "Tipo Perù."

ImportantSimone5 · August 17, 2024, 2:51am

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Caproni Ca.135 “Tipo Perù.”

History.

The Caproni 135 was an airplane built by Caproni Aeronautica Bergamasca in 1934. The airplane was built by the engineer Cesare Pallavicino, an engineer who had left Breda just two years earlier. Before this aircraft, Caproni was focused on the creation of training biplanes, but they had decided to expand their finances by also producing other types of aircraft. The Caproni 135 was influenced by contemporary Anglo-American bombers (such as the Douglas B-18 and the Vickers Wellington) even if it was smaller in size to meet a request for a twin-engine medium bomber made by the Italian Air Ministry. On 1 April 1935 the prototype of the aircraft made its first flight and the first examples of the aircraft were built which were initially used only by the Italian Royal Air Force. On 12 August 1936, Peru ordered six examples of the Caproni 135 from Caproni with a different engine (given the new needs and the appearance of more powerful engines). The aircraft were built by Caproni in Italy under the name “Caproni Ca.135 ‘Tipo Perù’” and were tested. After the tests were carried out, they were dismantled and sent to Callao, where they were re-assembled within a few weeks. Initially these bombers saw limited use as transport and training aircraft for the pilots (who complained of some problems), but as tensions rose between Ecuador and Peru these planes were put into action shortly time. With the outbreak of the Ecuadorian-Peruvian War, bombers saw limited use in tactical attacks (unsuitable for aircraft) and reconnaissance flights. After the end of the conflict in 1942 the five surviving planes remained at Chiclayo airport and were soon decommissioned and dismantled before meeting an unknown end (although it is known that in October 1942 traces of the last Caproni 135 were lost).

Armaments and propulsion.

The aircraft was armed with two 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns and one 7.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun. The armament covered a good part of the plane. Furthermore, the plane’s war load of bombs was 1600 kg.
The plane was driven by two engines Isotta Fraschini Asso XI RC.40 “Spinto” from 900 CV 900 hp of maximum power (power delivered after the special modifications)The aircraft was able to reach a maximum speed of 400 km/h.

Specifications.

Spoiler

Crew: 4/5
Maximum weight: 9,100 kg
Wingspan: 18.8 m
Length: 13.7 m
Height: 3.4 m
Wing area: 60 m2
Engines: 2x Isotta Fraschini Asso XI.RC.40 (900 hp)
Maximum speed: 400 km/h
Armament: 2x 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT, 1x Breda-SAFAT 7.7 mm and up to 1,600 kg bombs.

Pictures and drawnings.

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