World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseDesigned by Rodolfo Verduzio of Gianni Caproni in 1931, the Ca.111 aircraft was supposed to be a simple but yet tough long-range reconnaissance aircraft that could operate alone in harsh conditions such as Italy's colonies in North and East Africa. They were constructed with tubular steel and covered with fabric and wood. Although they were technically derivatives of the earlier Ca.101 design, the single-engined Ca.111 aircraft stood out from the three-engined Ca.101 predecessors while still being faster. The first production units were delivered to the 146th and 183rd Squadrons of the 85th Group, followed by the 142nd Squadron. They were initially promising, performing maritime patrols well within what the jobs called for. However, with the Z.501 aircraft debuted, especially after the late comers breaking two world records for long-distance flight, Ca.111 production halted after only 148 units. During the Italo-Abyssian War, Ca.111 aircraft served in long range recognition, attack, and light bombing roles. By the time the European War began in 1939, however, they had since been replaced.

SPECIFICATIONS

Ca.111

Machinery	One Isotta-Fraschini Asso 750 RC W18 radial engine rated at 830hp
Armament	4×7.7mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun in flexible positions in dorsal, ventral, and beam positions, up to 600kg of bombs
Crew	3
Span	19.65 m
Length	15.30 m
Height	3.85 m
Wing Area	61.50 m²
Weight, Empty	3,490 kg
Weight, Loaded	5,490 kg
Speed, Maximum	290 km/h
Rate of Climb	3.10 m/s
Service Ceiling	6,700 m
Range, Normal	1,300 km

Visitor Submitted Comments

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1.  Alan Chanter says:
3 Jan 2008 01:58:14 AM

The aircraft depicted in the heading photograph is one of the 25 built as Ca.111 Idro twin float seaplanes. These served in the long-range maritime reconnaissance units.