F. Giuli Caproni Ca.331
In 1938 a new project was started by Caproni, in response to an Air Ministry requirement for an aerial observation aircraft. The first Ca.331 prototype was the O.A. (Osservazione Area) variant and was of all metal construction, a new departure from Caproni's better known fabric and plywood covered aircraft such as the Ca.311, Ca.313 & Ca.314 series. What is not in dispute is the pure clean lines of this aircraft, perhaps one of the prettiest Italian aircraft of World War II. It was a good aircraft too. When it first few in 1940, all the pilots who had the chance to fly it were unanimous in their praise, it even prompted a German pilot to remark "kolossal gut" at the end of a fight. The only serious fault was the choice of propellers. Originally fitted with Piaggio blades, it was re-equipped with Alfa Romeo units in 1941, which immediately gave better results. Werner Molders test flew it at one time and Goering was treated to a spirited flying display during his visit to the Guidonia airfield in Jan 1942. In fact, it was the Germans who were more serious about getting the aircraft into production. The second prototype, built not long after the O.A., was a purpose built night fighter, the C.N.version, armed with six 20mm cannons and five 12.7mm machine guns.
by peperez (2009-09-12 05:01:15)
In 1938 a new project was started by Caproni, in response to an Air Ministry requirement for an aerial observation aircraft. The first Ca.331 prototype was the O.A. (Osservazione Area) variant and was of all metal construction, a new departure from Caproni's better known fabric and plywood covered aircraft such as the Ca.311, Ca.313 & Ca.314 series. What is not in dispute is the pure clean lines of this aircraft, perhaps one of the prettiest Italian aircraft of World War II. It was a good aircraft too. When it first few in 1940, all the pilots who had the chance to fly it were unanimous in their praise, it even prompted a German pilot to remark "kolossal gut" at the end of a fight. The only serious fault was the choice of propellers. Originally fitted with Piaggio blades, it was re-equipped with Alfa Romeo units in 1941, which immediately gave better results. Werner Molders test flew it at one time and Goering was treated to a spirited flying display during his visit to the Guidonia airfield in Jan 1942. In fact, it was the Germans who were more serious about getting the aircraft into production. The second prototype, built not long after the O.A., was a purpose built night fighter, the C.N.version, armed with six 20mm cannons and five 12.7mm machine guns.
by peperez (2009-09-12 05:01:15)
