Caproni Ca.133

The Caproni Ca.133 was a three‑engine monoplane built in Italy during the early 1930s for both military and civilian use. Developed from the earlier Ca.127 and Ca.125, the Ca.133 first flew in 1934 and entered service with the Regia Aeronautica as a bomber, transport and colonial‑type aircraft. Its high‑wing configuration, fixed landing gear and robust all‑metal structure made it suitable for operation from rough airstrips in North Africa and the Middle East. Powered by three Alfa Romeo 126 RC.34 radial engines delivering about 860 hp each, the Ca.133 could carry up to 1 200 kg of bombs or a cargo load of roughly 1 500 kg, and it accommodated a crew of four to five. The aircraft’s spacious cabin was later adapted for passenger service, and several were sold to airlines in South America and the Balkans, where they performed mail and regional routes. Although quickly superseded by more modern twin‑engine designs, the Ca.133 played a key role in demonstrating Italy’s capability to produce versatile, medium‑weight transports and bombers. Its service in the Second Italo‑Ethiopian War and early World War II operations cemented its place as a bridge between World War I‑era biplanes and the streamlined aircraft that followed.

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