Caproni Ca.13
Caproni · Italy · first flew 1914 · bomber
The Caproni Ca.13 was an early Italian WWI triplane bomber in the Ca.1 family, featuring the distinctive triple-fuselage layout with twin tail booms that became a Caproni hallmark. It was one of the first dedicated Italian heavy bombers.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 3 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Triple-fuselage Caproni triplane bomber layout |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Triple-fuselage Caproni triplane bomber layout
- Three engines with central pusher and two tractor nacelles
- Twin tail booms with biplane tail surfaces
Unmistakable triple-fuselage layout with twin tail booms, three engines in pusher-tractor arrangement, and large triplane wings set it apart from any contemporary design.
Specifications
- The Caproni Ca.13 has a length of 8.4 m (28 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.28 m (37 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 130 km/h (81 mph).
- Typical crew: 4.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Gianni Caproni developed his triple-engine bomber concept from 1913-1914, producing a series of increasingly capable aircraft. The Ca.13 was an early member of this family, used by the Corpo Aeronautico Militare for bombing raids during WWI. The unusual configuration allowed a large bomb load with relatively limited engine power.
Variants
The Ca.1 series included several sub-variants (Ca.1 through Ca.5) with progressively more powerful engines; the Ca.13 is a specific variant within this lineage.
Where you'll see it
Italian air units used the Ca.1 series intensively for strategic bombing missions against Austro-Hungarian targets, accumulating significant operational experience with heavy bombing.
Related aircraft
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