Flight, July 1932

CAPRONI 101 "NORD-AFRICA"

   A THREE-ENGINED monoplane has been produced recently by the Caproni Company for use on the Lybian colonial air lines operated by the company "Nord-Africa Aviazione S.A.," which has its base at Bengasi. The machine in question belongs to the Caproni 101 class, but differs from the standard type in the power plant and other minor modifications arising from the special requirements of the Lybian service.
   The operation of an air service in a country like the Lybian Desert naturally calls for certain requirements in the design of the machine. For instance, there is the problem of forced landings in the desert, where suitable ground is not always available and help would be difficult to obtain - either for repairs or aid for the crew in the event of a crash. Ample reserve of power has, therefore, been provided to meet this, the machine being equipped with three engines, and is capable of flying with either the central engine only in action or the two wing engines. In the event of a forced landing, however, the "Nord-Africa" has been provided with an extra wide-track undercarriage.
   Another item to be considered is that of sand storms, and here it is essential that the machine should be capable of climbing rapidly to higher altitudes in order to escape them.
   Finally, the transport of passengers in this part of the world calls for a special arrangement of the cabin, inasmuch as it is desirable to have separate sections for European and native passengers - and so a "second-class cabin" is provided.
   The "Nord-Africa" is a semi-cantilever high-wing monoplane fitted with a 400-h.p. Romeo "Jupiter" in the nose and two 210-h.p. Romeo "Lynx" engines on the wings. The latter are located in nacelles mounted on a system of wing and fuselage struts below the wings. The central engine is separated from the pilot's cockpit by a fireproof wall.
   The wings - of wood and steel construction, fabric covered - have a semi-thick section and a slight dihedral angle; balanced ailerons are fitted. The bracing struts extend from the lower fuselage longerons to the engine nacelles, and thence to the wing spars; struts also run from the engine nacelles up to the top fuselage longerons.
   In the front of the fuselage, at the leading edge of the wings, is the pilot's cockpit, with sliding windows. Dual control of the wheel and pedal type is provided, the engine control levers and brake lever being located centrally between the two seats. Below the left-hand seat is the "Garelli" compressor starter, while near the right-hand seat is the wheel for adjusting (during flight) the incidence of the tail plane. Back cushion-type Salvator parachutes are fitted, while a trap-door in the floor not only affords additional visibility downwards, but also provides a means of escape, if necessary, by parachute.
   Immediately behind the pilot's cockpit is the first-class cabin, with six seats, three aside, next to large sliding windows. In the forward left-hand corner is the wireless transmitting and receiving installation - a Marconi longwave type. At the rear of the cabin is the second-class cabin, with a two-seat sofa, on the right of which is the lavatory. Behind this again is the luggage and mail compartment. A windmill-operated Marelli dynamo-accumulator plant provides the electric current for lighting, etc.
   The principal characteristics of the Caproni 101 "Nord-Africa" are :- Span, 61 ft. 7 in.; O.A. length, 44 ft. 4 in.; wing area, 391.8 sq. ft.; weight, empty, 6,615 lb.; useful load, 4,410 lb.; total weight, 11,025 lb.; speed, maximum, 130.5 m.p.h.; cruising, 118 m.p.h.; landing, 56 m.p.h.; climb, to 3,218 ft., 5 min. 30 sec.; 12,870 ft., 43 min.; ceiling, 16,090 ft.; range, 500 miles.