CANSA C.5B/1

The CANSA C.5B/1 was an Italian advanced trainer developed in the early 1940s by the small Milan‑based firm CANSA (Costruzioni Aeronautiche Nord Sud Avio). Originally conceived as a two‑seat, low‑wing monoplane to replace outdated biplane trainers, the C.5B/1 entered limited production in 1942 and saw service with the Regia Aeronautica and later the Italian Air Force after the war. Its airframe combined a wooden semi‑monocoque fuselage with metal wing spars, a pragmatic choice that conserved strategic aluminium while providing adequate strength for aerobatic instruction. Powered by a 205 hp Isotta Fraschini Beta RC 20‑as a reliable inline engine, the aircraft delivered a maximum speed of 250 km/h and a service ceiling of 6 500 m, sufficient for advanced pilot training, navigation, and radio‑operator courses. The cockpit featured dual controls, a simple instrument panel, and clear visibility afforded by the low‑wing layout. Though only a few dozen units were built, the C.5B/1 proved vital for maintaining a pipeline of competent pilots during Italy’s wartime and post‑war reconstruction. Its hybrid construction and economical design exemplify the resourceful engineering approaches that helped sustain European flight training programs under material shortages.

CANSA

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Design & Classification