Caproni
Caproni Ca.36
The Caproni Ca.36 was an Italian bomber and reconnaissance aircraft built by the Caproni company in the final years of World War I. First flown in 1917, it was a development of the earlier Ca.30 series, incorporating a more powerful longitudinal engine and refined aerodynamics that improved payload capacity and range. The three‑engine, biplane configuration featured a central nacelle housing the pilot and observer, flanked by two tractor-mounted engines on the lower wing, a layout that provided reliable thrust and facilitated maintenance in field conditions. Its wooden frame, covered with fabric, gave a total wing span of about 23 meters and allowed the aircraft to carry up to 300 kg of bombs, while also serving as a long‑range scout with dual controls for navigation and photography.
In service, the Ca.36 proved versatile, conducting bombing raids over the Austro‑Hungarian front and performing aerial observation for artillery spotting. Though its production numbers were modest, the type demonstrated the feasibility of multi‑engine combat aircraft and influenced later Caproni designs such as the Ca.40 and Ca.62. The Ca.36’s blend of firepower, endurance, and innovative engineering marks it as a significant step in the evolution of early strategic aviation.
In service, the Ca.36 proved versatile, conducting bombing raids over the Austro‑Hungarian front and performing aerial observation for artillery spotting. Though its production numbers were modest, the type demonstrated the feasibility of multi‑engine combat aircraft and influenced later Caproni designs such as the Ca.40 and Ca.62. The Ca.36’s blend of firepower, endurance, and innovative engineering marks it as a significant step in the evolution of early strategic aviation.
