Caproni Ca.309 Ghibli

Caproni · Italy · first flew 1937 · bomber

The Caproni Ca.309 Ghibli was an Italian twin-engine multi-role aircraft used for colonial policing, light bombing, and transport duties in Italian North Africa.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — WingsHigh-mounted, straight
E — Engines2 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage13.28 m fuselage
T — TailTwin fin

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Identified by its twin-boom configuration, high straight wing, and twin piston engines in wing nacelles, giving it a distinctive silhouette quite different from conventional twin-engine designs.

Specifications

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

The Ca.309 first flew in 1937 and served in Libya, Ethiopia, and other Italian colonial territories. It was a versatile platform used for reconnaissance and light strike missions. The type saw action during the early years of World War II in the North African and East African theatres.

Variants

The Ca.309 was the initial version; the related Ca.310, Ca.311, Ca.313, and Ca.314 were progressive developments with improved performance.

Where you'll see it

The Ca.309 served with the Regia Aeronautica in Italian colonial territories and in the early phase of the North African campaign during World War II.

Related aircraft

AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.