Caproni ca.310
Caproni ca.310 | |
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Croatian approx. 310 |
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Type: | Reconnaissance plane |
Design country: | |
Manufacturer: | |
First flight: |
February 27, 1937 |
Commissioning: |
1937 |
Number of pieces: |
Approx 310: 229, Approx 312: 39 |
The Caproni Ca.310 was an Italian light reconnaissance aircraft and bomber.
development
The caproni approx. 310 (Libeccio - southwest wind) was developed simultaneously with the Ca. 309 (Ghibli - desert wind) from the Caproni Ca. 306 Borea (north wind). The Ca. 309 and Ca.310 were structurally similar, but the Ca.310 had a retractable landing gear and the prototype had significantly more powerful engines. Radial engines of the type Piaggio PVII C.16 with an output of 460 HP (350 kW) each were used instead of the in-line engines. After the first flight on February 20, 1937, the first production orders were soon placed and the PVIII C.35 engine was selected for the series aircraft. The machines could carry a bomb load of up to 400 kg.
Between 1937 and 1939, a total of 229 copies of the approximately 310 were made. In addition to the deliveries to the Regia Aeronautica , four of the 16 originally ordered were produced for the Norwegian Air Force , 16 for Peru and 12 for Yugoslavia.
However, since the aircraft did not achieve the specified performance, the Norwegian order was changed to the Ca.314 version after the first delivery of four machines.
The largest foreign customer was Great Britain, which after 1938 needed aircraft very quickly for the training of pilots due to the threat of war. Since Italy remained neutral after the outbreak of war, orders for 200 approx. 310 were in the meantime. However, this order was changed to one for version 311. However, due to Italy's entry into the war, this order was no longer delivered.
Of the specimens produced for the Italian Air Force, 16 were used by the Aviazione Legionaria during the Spanish Civil War . Shortly before the outbreak of World War II , 36 pieces were passed on to Hungary. With the exception of three, these were returned in 1940 and overhauled in the Trento plant .
variants
- About 310 idro
- was a civil seaplane equipped with two floats.
- Approx. 310 to
- Name for the twelve machines manufactured for Yugoslavia with an almost completely glazed bow without gradation.
- Caproni ca.311
- Bomber version with glazed bow and defensive armament
- Caproni ca.312
- Version of the approx. 310 with more powerful Piaggio P.XVI RC 35 engines with three-blade propeller. The client was Norway for 15 machines of the type approx. 312 bis. Like the Ca.311, the version received a glazed bow without gradation. The machines were up to the invasion in Norway no longer supplied, but went to the Regia Aeronautica . The same happened with 24 pieces originally ordered by Belgium .
- Caproni ca.313
- Version of the approx. 310 with Isotta-Fraschini-Asso motors
- Caproni ca.314
- Version of the ca.313 with reinforced armament
- Caproni approx 316
- Maritime reconnaissance aircraft for catapult launches developed from the approximately 310 Idro
Military use
- Royal Yugoslav Air Force: 12 were delivered in 1938
- Yugoslav Air Force - after the war
- Hærens flyvåpen: 4 copies in use
- Zrakoplovstvo Nezavisne Države Hrvatske: 7 ex-Yugoslav
- Hungarian Air Force : 36 were ordered in 1938, but 33 were returned in 1940 due to dissatisfaction with performance.
Technical specifications
Parameter | Data |
---|---|
crew | 3 |
length | 12.20 m |
span | 16.20 m |
height | 3.52 m |
Wing area | 38.40 m² |
Empty mass | 3040 kg |
Max. Takeoff mass | 4205 kg |
Marching speed | 305 km / h |
Top speed | 347 km / h |
Service ceiling | 7000 m |
Range | 1025 km |
Engines | 2 × 7-cylinder radial engine Piaggio P VII C.16 with 460 PS (338 kW) each |
Armament | 3 × 7.7 mm machine gun for defense |
See also
literature
- Aero. Marshall Cavendish International Ltd., London 1984, issue 47.
- Chris Bishop: The Complete Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II. Brown Books, London 1998, ISBN 1-897884-36-2 .
- David Mondey: The Concise Guide to Axis Aircraft of World War II. Bounty Books, New York 1996, ISBN 1-85152-966-7 .
- Michael JH Taylor (Ed.): Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. Jane's Publishing Company, London 1989, ISBN 1-85170-324-1 .