J.Davilla Italian Aviation in the First World War. Vol.2: Aircraft A-H (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 74)

Caproni Prewar Designs

Caproni Ca. 21

  Two-seat parasol monoplane developed from the Ca.18 and equipped with an 80 hp Gnome rotary engine. Built in 1914 and remained as a prototype.

Ca.21 single seat parasol fighter with one 80-hp Gnome engine
  Wingspan 10.60 m; length 7.90 m; height 3.60 m; wing area 20.30 square meters.
  Empty weight 380 kg; loaded weight 630 kg; payload, 250 kg
  Maximum speed 120 km/h.


Caproni Ca. 22

  Experimental “parasol” type two-seat monoplane with a variable incidence wing adjustable by the pilot. It was powered by an 80-hp Gnome Lambda rotary engine and was larger than the preceding Ca.25 (an out of sequence designation). The automatic stability mechanism was replaced with the simpler one for variation of the incidence, patented on 19 July, 1914. The three-piece wing was centrally hinged on the front spar and rotated along the axis of the wing. The incidence was controlled manually via a hand wheel placed on the rear pillar moved by means of a sleeve with helical grooves which caused the tube to be raised and lowered. The fixed horizontal tailplane was also connected by a system of cables thus enabling the tailplane to operate in concert with the wing. This clever system preserved the balance of the plane in flight as the wing incidence was altered.
  The new project was called “Parasol 80” and later received the abbreviation Ca.22, but only after the war. Piloted by Emilio Pensuti in September-October 1914, it set four world records for height and ascent, including a new Italian record of altitude. 5,300 m on 1 October 1914.

Caproni Ca.22 two seat experimental aircraft with one 80-hp Gnome engine
  Wingspan 14.14 m; length 8 m; height 3.50 m; wing area, 29.18 square meters.
  Empty weights 480 kg; loaded weight 980 kg; payload, 500 kg.
  Maximum speed, 125 km/h; climb to 1,000 m. in 6 minutes; 3,600 m. in 32 minutes; ceiling 5,200 m
  One built


Caproni Ca. 23

  Two-seater “parasol” observation monoplane built in 1914. It was developed from Ca.22, but with a parasol wing of fixed incidence. Above the wing there was a vertical plane, which compensated for the downward displacement of the center of resistance. The retaining cables of the wings were covered with wooden slats: the cables took on an elongated shape.
  The Ca.23 version was equipped with a water cooled 100-hp Fiat A.10 in-line engine with a large frontal radiator. In addition to the different shape of the front fuselage resulting from the in-line engine with vertical front radiator, the Ca.23 was distinguished by the fin between the struts holding the wing above the fuselage. Its purpose is unclear. The 100-hp Fiat, however, was needed for Caproni bombers, so the Ca.23 remained a prototype.


Caproni Ca.24

  The Ca.24 variant was equipped with a 100-hp Gnome rotary engine. Several examples of this latter version were built and likely served alongside the Ca.18s. See entry for Ca.18.
  The Ca.24 was derived from the Ca.22, but had a more powerful 100-hp Gnome rotary engine and a more refined layout. The Regio Esercito (Royal Army) ordered 12 to be built in the former Caproni workshops, nine of which were delivered on the 18 July 1915.
  In 1914 15a Squadriglia was equipped with Bleriot 11s, but in April 1915 it re-equipped with the Caproni Parasol Ca.18s and was assigned to III Gruppo. At the outbreak of the war it was based at Piacenza. On 24 June it was sent to Pordenone for the Parco d’Assedio di Artiglieria (Artillery Siege Park to transition to Caproni Parasol 100 hp Ca.24s, which were picked up at Vizzola Ticino.
  The unit made numerous reconnaissance training flights on these new Capronis.
  On June 30, 15a Squadriglia moved from Piacenza to Pordenone, where flights resume on July 8, with the Parasol undergoing bomb dropping tests. By this time it had been discovered that the Ca.24 had a tendency to swerve to the side which caused several accidents. On 20 August brigadiere Domenico Cattaneo died when his Ca.24’s wing fractured. As a result, 15a Squadriglia was disbanded on 15 September 1915.

Caproni Ca.24 two-seat reconnaissance parasol wing monoplane
  Wingspan, 14.14 m; length 7.75 m; height 3.50 m; wing area, 29 square meters.
  Empty weight 480 kg; loaded weight 850 kg (one source says 980 kg); payload, 370 kg.
  Maximum speed 115 km I h; climb to 1,000 m. in 10 minutes; 2,000 m. in 25 minutes; endurance 4 h.


Caproni Ca.25

  Experimental parasol single-seat monoplane with automatic balance. The engine was a 45-hp Anzani 6-cylinder radial engine. The first Caproni parasol aircraft retained the same structure of the Ca.8 to 11 series of monoplanes. The aircraft had the same interior structure as the Ca.18 and was powered by a six-cylinder radial Anzani engine. The wing was hinged on the front spar and was fixed at the rear to a sliding vertical pylon. A calibrated steel spring allowed the incidence of the wing to be automatically adjusted.
  The variations in the incidence of the wing were transmitted to the horizontal tail plane by means of levers and cables, so that the incidence of the wing was synchronized incidence of the tail plane to ensure stability. The wings had a differential suspension for lateral balance.
  With the turn and warping controls locked, Emilio Pensuti carried out two one hour flights (without touching the controls!) for an official commission in June 1914.
  Later designated Ca.25, the new design was unsuccessful, the idea of a high-wing monoplane was resumed six months later.

Ca.25 single-seat experimental monoplane with one 45-hp Anzani engine
  Wingspan 8.88 m; length 8.67 m; height, 3.29 m; wing area, 19.50 square meters.