Caproni Ca.36
Caproni · Italy · first flew 1916 · bomber
The Caproni Ca.36 is a subtype of the Ca.3 family of Italian WWI heavy bombers, characterised by its distinctive triple-engine twin-boom biplane layout with two outboard tractor engines and a central pusher. It was the most produced and widely used of the Ca.3 series.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 3 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 11.05 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Triple-engine twin-boom biplane — two tractor engines on booms, one pusher in central nacelle
- Massive for 1916: 22.7 m wingspan
- Twin tail booms connecting biplane tail unit
Unmistakable twin-boom biplane silhouette with three engines; the central nacelle houses the pusher engine at the rear, while the two boom-mounted tractor engines sit well forward of the wings.
Specifications
- The Caproni Ca.36 has a length of 11.05 m (36 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 22.74 m (75 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 137 km/h (85 mph).
- Typical crew: 4.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The prototype flew in late 1916 and between 250 and 300 examples were built, serving with Italian Army and Navy air corps as well as French units. Post-war, the Ca.36M variant with removable outer wing panels was delivered to the Regia Aeronautica from 1923 to 1927. The US Army Air Service also evaluated examples after the Armistice.
Variants
The Ca.36M was a post-war variant with demountable outer wing panels for easier transport and storage; 153 were delivered to Italy from 1923. The broader Ca.3 family includes the Ca.32, Ca.33, Ca.35, and Ca.36 as sequential production subtypes.
Where you'll see it
Served on the Italian, French, and US fronts in WWI; used for strategic bombing raids against Austro-Hungarian targets. One example is preserved at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.
Related aircraft
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