Caproni Bergamaschi Са 135

Компания "Cantieri Aeronautici Bergamaschi" была создана в 1927 году, но выпустила лишь несколько учебных самолетов, а в 1931 году ее приобрела "Caproni", после чего стала называться "Caproni Aeronautica Bergamasca", но больше была известна как "Caproni Bergamaschi". В 1933 году ее главным конструктором стал Чезаре Паллавичино, ранее работавший в компании "Breda". Благодаря ему "Caproni Bergamaschi" скоро начала выпускать более современные самолеты, чем основная компания.
   Первым появился двухместный моноплан PL.3, имевший большую дальность полета и оснащенный звездообразным двигателем Fiat А.59 (выпускались по лицензии Pratt & Whitney Hornet) мощностью 700 л. с. (522 кВт). Самолет построили в 1934 году для участия в гонках Макробертсона на маршруте Лондон - Мельбурн. Практически одновременно в воздух поднялся моноплан PS.1 с четырехместным салоном.
   Наиболее чистые аэродинамические формы имел, вероятно, Caproni Са 135, создававшийся как средний бомбардировщик. Прототип поднялся в воздух 1 апреля 1935 года и был оснащен двумя звездообразными двигателями Asso XI RC мощностью 800 л. с. (596 кВт).


ТАКТИКО-ТЕХНИЧЕСКИЕ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКИ

   Caproni Са 135/Р.XI

   Тип: средний бомбардировщик с 4 членами экипажа
   Силовая установка: два звездообразных двигателя Piaggio Р. XI RC.40 каждый мощностью 1000 л. с. (746 кВт)
   Летные характеристики: максимальная скорость на высоте 4800 м - 440 км/ч; крейсерская скорость на оптимальной высоте 370 км/ч; набор высоты 4000 м-за 13 мин 20 с; практический потолок 7000 м; дальность полета 2000 км
   Масса: пустого 6050 кг; максимальная взлетная 9550 кг
   Размеры: размах крыла 18,80 м; длина 14,38 м; высота 3,40 м; площадь крыла 60,00 м2
   Вооружение: по одному наводимому 12,7-мм пулемету Breda-SAFAT в носовой, надфюзеляжной и подфюзеляжной турелях, плюс до 1600 кг бомб во внутреннем бомбоотсеке

Flight, July 1940

THE Ca 135 bis BOMBER
A Caproni with Some Unusual Armament Features : The "Procellaria"

  AT the Milan Aero Show in October, 1937, the Societa Italiana Caproni, of Milan, exhibited a new twin-engined bomber designated the Ca 135. It was then learned that an order for these machines was being executed for the Italian Air Force, and the type soon passed into squadron service. The original model, as shown at Milan, was powered with two Isotta Fraschini XI RC 40 vee-twelve water-cooled engines of 900 h.p. each, but radial engines, of Fiat or Piaggio type, were later substituted, and the machine thus powered was designated Ca 135 bis. The version with liquid-cooled engines is now obsolescent.
  The Ca 135 bis is a midwing cantilever monoplane. The wing is in three sections, the outer panels having detachable tips, trailing edges and leading edges. Two wooden box spars with stout plywood ribs form the basic structure, and the covering is part plywood and part fabric. The box formed by the spars and the upper and lower skins is divided into a number of watertight compartments so that the machine should have good flotation qualities. Split flaps are fitted and extend between the ailerons and the fuselage.
  The central and rear portions of the fuselage have a framework of welded chrome molybdenum steel tubes covered partly with plywood and partly with fabric. A steel framework is also used for the forward end, in the light alloy covering of which there are several transparent panels to light the bomb-aimer's position. In section the fuselage is rectangular with rounded corners.
  Of cantilever monoplane type, the tail has twin fins and rudders which are set well inboard from the tips. Wood is used for the main structure. When raised, the main wheels of the undercarriage protrude slightly from the engine nacelles. These latter, incidentally, are very long and extend some distance behind the trailing edge of the wing. Each unit of the undercarriage comprises two "Fast" oleo-pneumatic legs and two backwardly inclined retracting struts. Low-pressure wheels and compressed-air brakes are specified. The tail wheel is fixed and partly faired.
  The old Isotta engines were installed in a somewhat crude fashion. Their radiators were in the forward part, of the nacelles below the reduction gear housings. With the Fiat or Piaggio radials conventional N.A.C.A. cowlings with controllable gills are used. Those for the Piaggios have a finer aerodynamic shape.
  The type of Fiat engine specified is the A 80 RC 41 18-cylinder two-row radial, which has a total displacement of 45.72 litres. A normal output of 1,000 h.p. is claimed at 2,100 r.p.m. at 13,400ft., the power at sea level being 885 h.p. at 2,100 r.p.m. At 2,200 r.p.m., 1,030 h.p. are available for take-off. A Fiat Hamilton constant-speed airscrew is used with this engine. The Piaggio P XI RC 40, which is an alternative power plant, is a 14-cylinder engine giving 1,000 h.p. at 2,200 r.p.m. at 13,100ft. The dry weight is 1,433 lb

Tankage

  Engine mountings are of steel tubes connecting with front and rear spars. Fuel (473 gallons) is carried in the centre section. For strategical reconnaissance work the capacity may be increased to 605 gallons by installing extra tanks in the bomb bay.
  The pilots' cockpit is approximately in line with the leading edge of the wing and has side-by-side seats. It is possible to disengage the starboard controls to allow access to the bomb-aimer's position, which is situated in the bottom of the nose section. Wireless apparatus is installed behind the pilots' position, and there is provision for a camera behind the radio compartment. Oxygen equipment is of the independent type, which means that there is an individual supply and regulator for each member of the crew.

Armament

  Set about two feet back from the extreme nose of the fuselage is a horizontal slot from which the barrel of a single 12.7 mm. Breda SAFAT gun protrudes. The horizontal traverse possible is about 160 deg., but elevation is very restricted. Aft of the pilots' position is a semi-retractable power-driven turret with two 12.7 mm. guns, which are arranged to fire in opposite directions, though they are operated by one man. This arrangement is explained by the fact that the turret turns only through 180 deg.
  The arrangement of the lower floor gun is certainly neat and is said to be quite practical. The gun is placed on a mounting which is retractable into the fuselage. Large windows in the walls of the fuselage admit ample light to this position.
  In the plane of the wing there are two compartments in the fuselage which will accommodate up to 2,425 lb. of bombs. Several combinations are possible. The bomb doors are four in number and are hydraulically operated.
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CAPRONI Ca 135
Two Piaggio PXI RC 40 Engines
DIMENSIONS
   Span ... 61 ft. 8 in.
   Length ... 46 ft. 10 in.
   Height ... 11 ft. 3 in.
   Wing area ... 646 sq. ft.
WEIGHTS AND LOADINGS
   Weight empty ... 13,337 lb.
   Weight loaded ... 21,054 lb.
   Wing loading ... 30.2 lb./sq. ft.
PERFORMANCE
   Top speed at sea level ... 229 m.p.h.
   Top speed at 15,740 ft ... 273 m.p.h.
   Minimum speed ... 80 m.p.h.
   Climb to 3,280 ft. ... 2 min 29 sec.
   Climb to 6,650 ft. ... 6 min. 17 sec.
   Climb to 9,840 ft. ... 9 min. 20 sec.
   Climb to 13,120 ft. ... 12 min. 53 sec.
   Climb to 16,400 ft. ... 17 min. 23 sec.
   Take off run ... 380 yd.
   Landing run ... 270 yd.
   Range (at 217 m.p.h.) ... 1,240 miles.
N.B.- It is claimed that the machine will climb from 5,570 ft. to 10,500 ft. in 40 min. on a single engine carrying a load of 4,400 lb.