Ca.331 file photo [17159]

Ca.331 Raffica

CountryItaly
ManufacturerCaproni
Primary RolePrototype Aircraft
Maiden Flight31 August 1940

Contributor:

ww2dbaseThe Ca.331 Raffica ("Gust of Wind") design was developed by Ing Cesare Pallavacino of the firm Caproni in response to a 1938 Italian Air Ministry requirement for a new tactical reconnaissance combat aircraft. The first variant design, Ca.331 OA or Ca.331A, was completed in Oct 1938, and the twin-engine low-wing all-metal monoplane first took flight in mid-1940. After a brief period of testing, the Italian Air Force declined to issue an order. The German Air Force (Luftwaffe) tested the prototype aircraft and also declined to issue an order despite reported satisfaction with the aircraft's performance. In May 1942, the Italian Air Ministry issued an order for two Ca.331 aircraft to be built as a prototype nightfighter. This design also failed to enter production, the project being scrapped in Jan 1943. The single example of Ca.331 OA prototype aircraft and two examples of Ca.331 CN prototype aircraft (only one of which was actually completed) were captured by the Germans at Taliedo, Italy in 1943 after the Italian surrender. All three would later be scrapped in Germany.

ww2dbaseSource: Wikipedia

Last Major Revision: Jan 2013

Ca.331 Raffica Timeline

31 Aug 1940 The Ca.331 OA prototype aircraft took its first flight at Ponte San Pietro, Italy with test pilot Ettore Wengi at the helm.

SPECIFICATIONS

Ca.331 OA
MachineryTwo Isotta-Fraschini Delta Rc.40 engines rated at 770hp each
Armament2x12.7mm wing root Breda-SAFAT machine guns, 1x12.7mm dorsal Breda-SAFAT machine gun, 1x12.7mm ventral Breda-SAFAT machine gun, 1,000kg of bombs
Crew3
Span16.40 m
Length11.74 m
Height3.21 m
Wing Area38.50 m²
Weight, Empty4,599 kg
Weight, Maximum6,800 kg
Speed, Maximum505 km/h
Service Ceiling8,092 m
Range, Maximum1,600 km

Ca.331 CN
MachineryTwo Isotta-Fraschini Delta IV air-cooled inverted piston supercharged V12 engines rated at 840hp each
Armament4x20mm nose Mauser MG 151 cannon, 2x12.7mm nose Breda-SAFAT machine gun, 1x12.7mm dorsal Breda-SAFAT machine gun, 1x12.7mm ventral Breda-SAFAT machine gun, 1,000kg of bombs
Crew3
Span16.40 m
Length11.74 m
Height3.21 m
Wing Area38.50 m²
Weight, Empty4,599 kg
Weight, Maximum6,800 kg
Speed, Maximum505 km/h
Service Ceiling8,092 m
Range, Maximum1,600 km

Photographs

Ca.331 OA prototype aircraft, Italy, early 1940sCa.331 OA prototype aircraft, Italy, early 1940sCa.331 OA prototype aircraft, Italy, early 1940sCa.331 CN prototype nightfighter, Italy, 1940s
See all 6 photographs of Ca.331 Raffica Prototype Aircraft



Did you enjoy this article or find this article helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you.

Share this article with your friends:

 Facebook
 Reddit
 Twitter

Stay updated with WW2DB:

 RSS Feeds




Posting Your Comments on this Topic

Your Name
Your Email
 Your email will not be published
Comment Type
Your Comments
 

Notes:

1. We hope that visitor conversations at WW2DB will be constructive and thought-provoking. Please refrain from using strong language. HTML tags are not allowed. Your IP address will be tracked even if you remain anonymous. WW2DB site administrators reserve the right to moderate, censor, and/or remove any comment. All comment submissions will become the property of WW2DB.

2. For inquiries about military records for members of the World War II armed forces, please see our FAQ.
Search WW2DB
News

Ca.331 Raffica Prototype Aircraft Photo Gallery
Ca.331 OA prototype aircraft, Italy, early 1940s
See all 6 photographs of Ca.331 Raffica Prototype Aircraft


Current Site Statistics

Famous WW2 Quote
"The raising of that flag on Suribachi means a Marine Corps for the next 500 years."

James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy, 23 Feb 1945


Support Us

Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 a month will go a long way. Thank you!

Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you!