The Hitachi four-cylinder inverted inline engine which formed part of the Tsu-11 powerplant of Japan’s Yokosuka Ohka Model 22. The Engine Test & Field Support Shop at the Yokosuka Naval Air Arsenal knew of Campini’s work but developed the Tsu-11 powerplant independently.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka - ЯпонияJapan - 1944

Preserved in excellent condition, the second C.C.2, c/n 4850, later serialled MM.488, is displayed at the Museo Storico dell’Aeronautica Militare at Vigna di Valle on Lake Bracciano, north of Rome.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Caproni-Campini CC.2 / N.1 - ИталияItaly - 1940

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Caproni-Campini CC.2 / N.1 - ИталияItaly - 1940

Another photograph of Mario de Bernardi and engineer Giovanni Pedace aloft in the first prototype. Campini explained after the aircraft’s arrival that “high speed was not the object of this first public flight”, which was just as well as it managed an average speed of only 135 m.p.h. over the 295 miles between Taliedo and Guidonia.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Caproni-Campini CC.2 / N.1 - ИталияItaly - 1940

The C.C.2 at Guidonia, with its c/n, 4849, and serial, MM.487, on the rear fuselage. When the airfield was overrun by the Allies, it was found dismantled with components scattered among the demolished remains of the once-busy Experimental Establishment.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Caproni-Campini CC.2 / N.1 - ИталияItaly - 1940

The interior of one of the two C.C.2 prototypes at Taliedo.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Caproni-Campini CC.2 / N.1 - ИталияItaly - 1940

Secondo Campini (in hat and overcoat) gives last-minute instructions to test pilot Mario de Bernardi before a test flight of one of the C.C.2s. One of Italy’s most distinguished aviators, de Bernardi chalked up many of the nation’s aeronautical achievements. In 1959, aged 65, he suffered a heart attack while flying an aerobatic routine in Rome; he managed to land the aircraft but died shortly afterwards.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Caproni-Campini CC.2 / N.1 - ИталияItaly - 1940

The two C.C.2s nearing completion in their adjacent jigs in the Caproni workshop at Taliedo. Both went on to undergo extensive ground testing, and both undertook flight testing. Given the Caproni construction numbers 4849 (No 1) and 4850 (No 2), they were later given the military experimental serials MM.487 and MM.488 respectively.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Caproni-Campini CC.2 / N.1 - ИталияItaly - 1940

The fuselage was of conventional construction, made up of a cylindrical structure of 62in (157-5cm) outer diameter at its widest point, within which was fitted an inner skinning of 56in (142-25cm) diameter, according to later Allied measurements.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Caproni-Campini CC.2 / N.1 - ИталияItaly - 1940

With the nose intake section removed, the C.C.2 reveals its three-stage axial-fan assembly. Despite the Italian Air Ministry and Caproni having spent a combined total of nearly 16m lire over eight years on the project, Pickles said it “did not merit serious attention”.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Caproni-Campini CC.2 / N.1 - ИталияItaly - 1940

The first Campini-Caproni C.C.2 undergoing static testing at the Caproni factory at Taliedo. The entire rear of the aircraft could be removed to enable inspection of the effect of fuel burning in the annular mixing channel.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Caproni-Campini CC.2 / N.1 - ИталияItaly - 1940

Giovanni Pedace (left) and Mario de Bernardi in the cockpits of the first C.C.2 in November 1941, when they made the Taliedo-Guidonia flight.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Caproni-Campini CC.2 / N.1 - ИталияItaly - 1940

The coloured fasces on the fuselage, later replaced by a stylised black variant, suggests this is the second prototype, possibly during its initial taxying tests on August 8, 1940. This aircraft made its first flight on August 27 the same year, to become the world’s first two-seat jet-powered aircraft to fly.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Caproni-Campini CC.2 / N.1 - ИталияItaly - 1940

The static test fuselage outside the workshop at Taliedo in 1937. The fuselage comprised four main sections: the air intake in the nose; the three-stage ducted fan unit; the main section housing a circular coolant radiator, Isotta-Fraschini engine and “afterburning” equipment, and the tail section with adjustable ‘‘bullet’’.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Caproni-Campini CC.2 / N.1 - ИталияItaly - 1940

One of the few air-to-air photographs taken of the type, this possibly shows the first prototype, c/n 4849, during its flight from Taliedo to Guidonia in November 1941. Note that the cockpit canopies remain open - most Italian aviators of the time disliked enclosed cockpits.
The Caproni-Campini N.I was, chronologically, the world's second jet aircraft to fly, this feat taking place at Milan on 27 August 1940, one year and three days after the He 178's maiden flight. On paper, the N.l's propulsion system embodied several very advanced concepts, including an afterburning, high by-pass turbofan. What it turned out to be was a 'Mickey Mouse' compound contraption of a 900hp Isotta-Fraschini driving a ducted fan, with a fuel-guzzling afterburning combustor ring thrown in. The overall result of this means of propulsion can be determined from the machine's top level speed of 205mph at 9,800 feet, increased by a mere 28mph at the same altitude with afterburner working. Some indication of fuel consumption can be gleaned from the fact that the machine had to alight at Pisa for fuel while making a 169-mile cross-country flight between Milan and Rome. Testing of the N.I ceased in the spring of 1941.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Caproni-Campini CC.2 / N.1 - ИталияItaly - 1940

The first C.C.2, serialled MM.487, at Guidonia before Italy’s capitulation in September 1943. In his official intelligence report for Mediterranean Allied Air Forces after his visit in June 1944, Sqn Ldr F.E. Pickles noted that “the Experimental Establishment at Guidonia is completely demolished” and that Campini had moved his workshops to northern Italy.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Caproni-Campini CC.2 / N.1 - ИталияItaly - 1940

The first C.C.2 following its forced landing on April 9, 1942. The damage was restricted to the tailwheel and its fairing, parts of the rear fuselage and one wing rib in the undercarriage recess. A valve in the port wheel-retracting gear had seized owing to dry packing leathers.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Caproni-Campini CC.2 / N.1 - ИталияItaly - 1940

Campini’s American patent drawings, dated December 17, 1935. Key: A) ovoid cabin; B) enshrouding cylinder; C) two-stage centrifugal compressor; D) radial engine; E) rectifier radiator; F) combustion space; G) annular mixing channel; H) discharge nozzle; J) cone for varying nozzle orifice; K) controlled lateral orifices.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Caproni-Campini CC.2 / N.1 - ИталияItaly - 1940

The Campini-Caproni C.C.2: a piston-powered jet engine

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Caproni-Campini CC.2 / N.1 - ИталияItaly - 1940