Caproni Ca.97
Caproni · Italy · first flew 1927 · transport aircraft
The Caproni Ca.97 was an Italian high-wing utility monoplane of the late 1920s, designed as a trimotor but built with one, two or three radial engines. It served as a utility transport, colonial aircraft and limited-use airliner.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Steel-tube airframe covered in canvas, with a large enclosed fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Utility high-wing monoplane built with one to three radial engines; the original design had a nose engine and two in wing-strut nacelles
- Steel-tube airframe covered in canvas, with a large enclosed fuselage
- Wide-track undercarriage with large balloon-tyred wheels and a tailskid
A high-wing braced monoplane with a deep, enclosed fuselage and a wide-track undercarriage on large balloon-tyred wheels. Trimotor examples have one nose engine and two in strut-mounted nacelles at the fuselage sides.
Specifications
- The Caproni Ca.97 has a length of 11.35 m (37 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 16 m (52 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 230 km/h (143 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed in the latter half of the 1920s and first flown in 1927, the Ca.97 used a steel-tube structure with canvas covering. The cabin could seat up to six passengers. Thirteen were built, and the prototype used three 100 hp Lorraine-Dietrich radials.
Variants
The prototype and the Ca.97 C.Tr. were trimotors. Single-engine versions with an Alfa Romeo Jupiter included the C.Mo, M, Co (reconnaissance-bomber), Ri (armed reconnaissance) and the Idro twin-float seaplane.
Where you'll see it
Small numbers flew with airlines including Societa Aerea Mediterranea and Ala Littoria, and with the Hungarian airline Malert. The Regia Aeronautica used military versions for colonial policing, particularly in Libya, from November 1929.
Related aircraft
- Caproni Ca.71
- Caproni Ca.100
- Caproni Ca.101
- Caproni Ca.70
- Aviméta 132
- de Havilland DH.61 Giant Moth
- Elias AJE Air Express
- Fairchild 71
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