Caproni Ca.135

Bombardier moyen qui est déjà équipé des fameux Piaggio PXI dont il est question sur d'autres fils.

Rien trouvé en français, voici donc le texte de Wikipedia de langue anglaise :

----------------------------------


The Caproni Ca.135 was an [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] designed in [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] in Italy by Cesare Pallavicino.

It flew for the first time in 1935, and entered service with the Peruvian Air Force in 1937,

and with the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] (Italian Royal Air Force) in January 1938.

Origins


[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] Valle (Chief of Staff of the Regia Aeronautica) initiated the "R-plan" - a program designed to modernize
Italy's air force, and to give it a strength of 3,000 aircraft by 1940.

In late 1934 a competition was held for a [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] with the following specifications:

• Speed: 330 km/h (210 mph) at 4,500 m (15,000 ft) and 385 km/h (239 mph) at 5,000 m (16,000 ft).
  
• Rate of climb: 4,000 m (13,000 ft) in 12½ minutes.
  
• Range: 1,000 km (620 mi) with a 1,200 kg (2,600 lb) bombload.
  
• Ceiling: 8,000 m (26,000 ft).
  

The ceiling and range specifications were not met, but the speed was exceeded by almost all the machines entered.

At the end of the competition, the "winners" were the Ca.135 (with 204 aircraft ordered), the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] (204),
the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] (144), the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] (96), the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] (49) and the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] (12).

This array of aircraft was proof of the anarchy, clientelarism and inefficiency that afflicted the Italian aviation industry.

Worse was the continuous waste of resources by the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] (Italian Air Force).

Orders were given for aircraft that were already obsolete.

The winners of the competition were not always the best - the BR.20 was overlooked in favour of the SM.79, an aircraft which was not even entered in the competition.

Design



The Ca.135 was to be built at Caproni's main Taliedo factory in [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], which is why the type had a designation in
the main Caproni sequence, rather than in the Caproni-Bergamaschi Ca.300 series.

However, the project was retained at [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], completed during 1934-35, (a long
construction time for the period), was first flown on 1 April.

The project chief was Cesare Pallavicino of CAB (Caproni Aereonautica Bergamasca).

Although the new bomber was in the "century series" of Caproni aircraft, it resembled the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], with its rounded nose, two engines, low-slung [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and wings with a very long [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

Several versions were fitted with different engines and some had noticeable performance differences.

The prototype was powered by two 623 kW (835 hp) (at 4,000 m/13,123 ft) [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] RC radial engines initially fitted with two bladed wooden propellers.

It had a length of 14.5 m (48 ft), a wingspan of 18.96 m (62.2 ft), and a wing surface of 61.5 m² (662 sq ft).

It weighed 5,606 kg (12,360 lb) empty and had a 2,875 kg (6,340 lb) useful load.

Structurally, it was built of mixed materials, with a [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] forward fuselage and a wood and fabric-covered steel-tube rear section; the wings being of metal and wood, using fabric and wood as a covering.

The wings were more than ⅓ of the total length, and had two [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] of wooden construction, covered with [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and metal. The strength coefficient was 7.5.

The tail surfaces were built of wood covered with metal and plywood.

The fuel system, with two tanks in the inner wings, held a total of 2,200 L (581 US gal).

The Ca.135's [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] shape was quite different than, for example, the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

If the latter resembled the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], the Ca.135, with its low fuselage more resembled the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

Its long nose accommodated the bomb-aimer and a front turret (similar to the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and later British bombers).

The front part of the nose was detachable to allow a quick exit from the aircraft.

It also had two doors in the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] roof, giving the pilots the chance to escape in an emergency.

The right-hand seat could fold up to assist entry to the nose.

A single 12.7 mm (0.5 in) in a [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] in mid-fuselage, was manned by the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

A seat for the flight engineer was later fitted.

The wireless operator's station, in the aft fuselage, was fitted with the AR350/AR5 (the standard for Italian bombers), a radiogoniometer (P63N), an OMI AGR.90 photographic-planimetric machine or the similar AGR 61.

The aircraft was also equipped with an APR 3 camera which although not fixed, was normally operated through a small window.

The wireless operator also had a 12.7 mm (0.5 in) [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] in the ventral position.

All this equipment made him very busy; as a result, an extra man was often carried.

The aircraft had very wide glazed surfaces in the nose, cockpit, and the central and aft fuselage; much more than in other Italian aircraft.

The aircraft was fitted with three machine guns, of 12.7 mm (0.5 in) calibre in the turrets, and a 7.7 mm (0.303 in) calibre gun in the nose.

All had 500 rounds, except the 7.7 mm (0.303 in) which had 350.

Bombload, like most Italian bombers, was less than impressive in terms of total weight, but was relatively flexible, depending on the role - from anti-ship to close air support:

• 2 × 800 kg (1,760 lb) bombs (the heaviest in the Regia Aeronautica), plus 2 × 50 kg (110 lb), and 2 × 31 kg (68 lb), for a total of 1,862 kg (4,105 lb)
  
• 2 × 500 kg (1,100 lb) + 4 × 100 kg (220 lb) + 2 × 31 kg (68 lb), total nominal 1,462 kg (3,223 lb)
  
• 4 × 250 kg (550 lb)
  
• 8 × 100 kg (220 lb) + 8 × 50 kg (110 lb) + 4 × 31 kg (68 lb), total 1,324 kg (2,919 lb)
  
• 16 × 50 kg (110 lb) + 8 × 31 kg (68 lb), total 1,048 kg (2,310 lb)
  
• 24 × 31 kg (68 lb), 20 kg (40 lb), 15 kg (33 lb), or 12 kg (26 lb).
  
• 120 × 1 kg (2 lb) or 2 kg (4 lb) bomblets
  
• 2 × torpedoes (never used, but hardpoints were fitted)
  

Caisson de tourelle ventrale

[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir cette image]

The aircraft had a better bomb capacity than most of its contemparies

(the SM.79 could carry: 2 × 500 kg/1,100 , 5 × 250 kg/550 lb, 12 × 100 kg/220 lb or 50 kg/110 lb bombs, or 700 ×
1–2 kg/2-4 lb bomblets).

Tourelleau dorsal pour mitrailleuse

[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir cette image]

Performance


The aircraft was underpowered, with a maximum speed of 363 km/h (226 mph) at 4,500 m (15,000 ft) and a high minimum speed of 130 km/h (81 mph), (there were no[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], and maybe not even flaps).

Ceiling was only 6,000 m (20,000 ft) and the endurance, at 70% of throttle, was 1,600 km (990 mi).

All-up weight was too high, with total of 8,725 kg (19,240 lb), not 7,375 kg (16,260 lb) as expected.

The total payload of 2,800 kg (6,200 lb) was shared between the crew (320+ kg/705+ lb), weapons (200 kg/441 lb), radios and other equipment (100 kg/220 lb), fuel (2,200 L/581 US gal), oil (1,500 kg/3,307 lb), oxygen and bombs.

There was almost no chance of carrying a full load of fuel with the maximum bombload, (other Italian bombers
were generally capable of a 3,300-3,600 kg/7,275-7,937 lb payload).

The lack of power made take-offs when over-loaded, impossible.

Indeed, even with a normal load, take-offs were problematic .

[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and landing distances were 418 m (1,370 ft) and 430 m (1,400 ft).

The range was good enough to assure 2,200 km (1,400 mi) with 550 kg (1,210 lb) and 1,200 km (750 mi) with 1,200 kg (2,650 lb).

The production version was fitted with two inline [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] Asso XI RC 40 engines, each giving 671 kW (900 hp) at 4,000 m (13,120 ft).

Aerodynamic drag was reduced, with three-bladed metal propellers that were theoretically more efficient.

These new engines gave the aircraft a maximum speed of 400 km/h (250 mph) at 4,000 m (13,120 ft).

It could climb to 2,000 m (6,560 ft) in 5.5 minutes, 4,000 m (13,120 ft) in 12.1 minutes and 5,000 m (16,400 ft) in 16.9 minutes.

Despite this, the aircraft was still underpowered, so the 1939 Ca.135Mod, fitted with 746 kW (1,000 hp) Piaggio P.XI engines, was developed.

Operational service


The aircraft arrived late in respect to the others (like the BR.20), and with totally unsatisfactory technology.

Despite this there was an order for 32 aircraft from the Regia Aeronautica on 19 June 1937.

They started to enter service in January 1938, over a year after the BR and SM bombers.

Spanish civil war


In 1938 seven aircraft were earmarked for the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] to serve in the Spanish Civil War.

These Tipo Spagna ("Spanish Type") aircraft were refitted with [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] RC.41 engines, rated at 746 kW (1,000 hp).

Crews from 11 Wing were sent to Taliedo (just outside [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]), to take the first seven aircraft - designated
Ca.135S - to Spain.

One was damaged on take-off, the other six flew to [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] near [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], where two suffered damage on landing.

After repairs and some modifications, the seven aircraft were not ready to leave for Spain until late 1938.

During the flight two were forced by icing to return to Italy, three crashed into the sea.

Only two arrived at [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], where they remained unused for six months.

Italy


Production of the aircraft was initially 32 aircraft, of which eight were Ca.135Ss, some were converted into the Ca.135Mod.

The first Ca.135Bis were built in 1938.

They were fitted with 746 kW (1,000 hp) Piaggio P.XI RC.40 engines, with Piaggio P.1001 three-blade metal propellers.

Length was 17.7 m (58.1 ft), wingspan 18.8 m (61.7 ft), and wing surface 60 m² (646 ft²).

Armament was still only two 12.7 mm (0.5 in) guns and one 7.7 mm (0.303 in), but the nose was redesigned to be more aerodynamic.

Another 32 aircraft were ordered and built between 1939 and June 1940.

They were not successful aircraft, being heavily criticized by the Italian pilots.

Unable to be used operationally, they were sent to flying schools, and then exported to Hungary.

The first batch of Ca.135s flown by 11 Wing were phased out by late 1938.

25 were still available at [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] airfield, but only four were airworthy.

The others were probably in maintenance for engine replacement.

There were at least 15 Ca.135Ss and Ca.135Mods at the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] in 1940, the poor condition of these aircraft meant that they were scrapped in November 1941.

With the scrapping of the first batch and the selling of the second, all 64 Ca.135s left the service of the Regia Aeronautica without performing a single operational mission.

Hungary


In the 1938 [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] evaluation, the Ca.135 P.XI had lost to the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], but the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] nonetheless ordered it.

It is likely that these Hungarian Ca.135s had [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] engines in place of the Piaggio P.XIs, since Hungary used these engines in its versions of the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

Both the Piaggio P.XI and the Manfred Weiss WM K-14 were licensed versions of the French [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] Mistral Major.

The Hungarians operated up to 100 Ca.135s with some success against the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] on the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] in 1941 and 1942, once[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] had committed its forces in that sector during[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

These aircraft constituted almost the entire Hungarian heavy bomber force and were ordered in exchange for the Ca.310, which were rejected and returned to Caproni in exchange for these new, more powerful, aircraft.

The second Ca.135 series, rejected by the Italians, was delivered between 1940 and 1941, after an order originally
submitted in 1937.

It was only confirmed in 1939, after a trial was carried out by Hungarian pilots at [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] that surprisingly found it
satisfactory.

Hungary was almost entirely equipped with Italian aircraft at the beginning of the war.

The 4° Bombardment Group operated these aircraft until late 1942, when the survivors, worn out, were used as [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

The Hungarians did not love the Ca.135Bis, but it was all they had, and so they had to make best out of it.

One of the squadrons, the I/4, (originally equipped with eight aircraft), soon lost one on landing.

It was replaced by another four aircraft. This squadron, up to October 1941, carried out 265 attacks, flew 1,040 sorties, and dropped around 1,450 tonnes (1,600 tons) of bombs, evidently helped by the short range (200-300 km/120-190 mi) that allowed them to use the aircraft's maximum bomb load.

Two aircraft were shot down, another two were lost in accidents and 11 crewmen were killed.

The daily average, over these four months, was over 8 missions flown and 13 tonnes (14 tons) of bombs dropped.