Caproni Ca.313

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Ca.313
Type Light bomber
Manufacturer Caproni
Designed by Cesare Pallavicino
Maiden flight 22 December 1939
Primary users Regia Aeronautica
Swedish Air Force
Number built 271

The Caproni Ca.313 was an Italian twin-engined reconnaissance bomber aircraft of the late 1930s. It was a development of the Caproni Ca.310. Its variants were exported to several other countries.


[edit] Design and development

The Ca.313 was designed by Cesare Pallavicino. The prototype first flew on 22 December 1939. It was developed as a replacement of the Caproni Ca.311.

To save development time, the first Ca.313 was simply a modified Ca.310 with new engines. The final Ca.313 design was similar to the Ca.311 with inline engines. These engines, IF Delta RC 35 inverted V-12s, had a smaller frontal profile than the Piaggio P.VII C.35 radial engines they replaced. Due to the resulting lower aerodynamic drag, the Ca.313 was capable of more speed for the same power. Given the fact that Fiat A.38 840 hp radial engines were needed for front line fighters, there was no other choice for this aircraft.

The Ca.313 had a glassed-in nose, similar to the Heinkel He 111. This Caprioni, with its characteristic 'Z' hubs, engines mounted in the wings and retractable undercarriage, was of mixed construction, i.e. metal in the fuselage and wood in the wings.

Bomb load and defensive armament were typical of the time. The aircraft could carry 400 kg of bombs. Three 7.7 mm Breda (or Scotti) machine guns were fitted - one in the left wing, one in a dorsal turret and one in the ventral position.

The main customer was the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Air Force), but many aircraft were sold to other countries. France ordered 200 machines and Great Britain 300. Only 5 Ca.313F units were delivered before Italy's entry into World War II.

[edit] Operational history

The aircraft served mainly with Italy, in the light transport, trainer and maritime reconnaissance roles. It was used in several different versions, i.e. B 16, S 16, T 16, TP 16. Despite having a similar payload, armament and speed to the UK's Bristol Blenheim, its performance was substantially inferior.

The outbreak of war greatly affected Sweden's military buildup, as the USA stopped deliveries of hundreds of new US aircraft to Sweden (among them 88 P-35 and 144 Vultee Vanguard). Only a few dozen of the new airplane had been delivered before the embargo took effect. To complete its war preparations, Sweden searched for other sources, eventually ordering 84 of the Caproni Ca.313S, 72 of the Fiat CR.42, and 60 of the Reggiane Re.2000, an order totaling some 90 million crowns.

The aircraft were delivered between 1940 and 1941. Between 1940 and 1943 there were 23 fatal accidents in the three squadrons (F3, F7 and F11) that operated them. Three more were shot down by German fighters, on 18 and 23 May 1944. Forty one crewmen died in these 'flying coffins'. The Ca.313 suffered many engine fires - this situation was not helped by the special fuel that was required. This fuel often corroded the tanks, causing leaks which would result in the fuel spilling onto the hot engines.

Other accidents occurred when the aircraft was used in a role for which it was not suited, such as dive bombing. For example, on 10 June 1942, one aircraft crashed following a wing failure. Many parts were not made to the correct standard. When it was realised that Sweden did not have the same problem, a modification programme was introduced and the rate of accidents dropped. For many years this machine, with its ten hour endurance, was the only one capable of patrolling around Sweden, although it was not popular with aircrews. By all standards, it was obsolete by 1940. It was removed from service soon after the end of the war.

The Luftwaffe eventually ordered 905 machines called the CA.313G to be used for training purposes and other secondary employment, but only a few examples were delivered. They had a different nose from the standard model. Two series of Ca.313 had this nose difference and were called 'Ca.313 R.P.B.1 and 2.

There are no original Ca.313 survivors. A replica built in Sweden was put in the Flygvapenmuseum, Linköping, where it can still be seen.


[edit] Variants

Ca.312 An enhanced Ca.310 with inline engines. Sold to Norway.

Ca.313 Prototype A Ca.310 airframe with inline engines in place of previous radial engines.

Ca.313 Production Improved derivative of Ca.310 with inline engines. Built in several versions.


[edit] Operators

[edit] Specifications (Ca.313)

General characteristics

  • Crew: 3
  • Length: 11.80 m (38 ft 8 in)
  • Wingspan: 16.65 m (54 ft 7 in)
  • Height: 3.70 m (12 ft 2 in)
  • Wing area: 38.9 m² (419 ft²)
  • Empty weight: 4,072 kg (8,977 lb)
  • Gross weight: 5,672 kg (12,505 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Isotta Fraschini Delta R.C.35 I-DS, 545 kW (730 hp) each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 430 km/h (268 mph)
  • Range: 1,700 km (1,050 miles)
  • Service ceiling: 8,500 m (27,880 ft)

Armament

[edit] References

  • Alonzo, F.S, Il Caproni Ca.313 in Svezia, Storia militare magazine n.64 page 15.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 236-37. 
  • World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing, File 891 Sheet 11. 

[edit] External links

[edit] See also

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