pheonix Posted August 27, 2019 Share Posted August 27, 2019 Evening All, I have been building this over the past few months: there is a build log in the under construction section if you are interested. The Caproni Ca 5 was designed in 1917 as a replacement for the earlier successful Ca 3 series of aircraft. The Ca 5 was slightly larger than its predecessor and the early versions were powered by Fiat A 12 engines developing between 200 and 300 horse power. Radiators were fitted in front of the engine on the booms, but in the nose of the fuselage for the middle engine which was in a pusher configuration. Three engines were used because of the nature of the terrain, (most of the bombing raids had to pass over the Alps), and distances involved: a third engine gave both increased power and a better chance for the crew to return in the event of an engine malfunction. Later variants of the basic design were powered by Fiat, Isotta or Liberty engines which meant slight redesign of the nacelles, and in the case of the Liberty engined variants, the nose radiator was replaced by one mounted in front of the engine at the rear of the fuselage. Defensive armament consisted of a machine gun in the nose and one mounted on a platform above the engine in the fuselage and behind the top wing. Most of these machines were operated by the Italian Air Force but a small number was also supplied to the American Air Service where they were deployed over the Western Front. Plans to build 1500 machines of this type in the US were cancelled when peace resumed in 1918. The type was used with some success as a bomber from late 1917 and through 1918 and after the war it continued in service with the Italian air force until the mid 1920's. At least one machine was fitted with floats and Liberty engines but this was not delivered until 1919 and so did not see wartime service. Some machines were converted to air ambulances in the post war period - they could carry two stretcher cases, one in each nacelle behind the engines, and up to 4 sitting cases in the fuselage: the fuel tanks were reduced in size to accommodate the seats. In terms of overall performance the design was a little disappointing as it suffered from constant engine problems. The fuselage engine was difficult to cool, and all of the engines tended to have a low reliability because of the poor quality control in the engine factories in Italy. Production was also hampered by the lack of skilled workers to make these complex aircraft in Italy at that time, but the type earned respect from its crews for its rugged qualities and powers of endurance which made them well suited to the conditions in which they had to operate. The use of three engines seemed to have established a trend for larger Italian and some German interwar designs as a large number of trimotors were built and used in this period and during WW2, making use of the advantages of this particular engine layout. Here are the pictures - I hope that you like them. As far as I am aware there is no kit of this aircraft type - so scratch building was my only option to add one to my collection. Thanks for looking. P 29 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invidia Posted August 27, 2019 Share Posted August 27, 2019 Stunning 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theskits62 Posted August 27, 2019 Share Posted August 27, 2019 Really impressive !! Where did you find the plans ?? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Ranger Posted August 27, 2019 Share Posted August 27, 2019 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bandsaw Steve Posted August 28, 2019 Share Posted August 28, 2019 Superb! Tough subject beautifully built! 👍👍👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juan Carlos Duque Arango Posted August 28, 2019 Share Posted August 28, 2019 Outstanding¡¡¡ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapam Posted August 28, 2019 Share Posted August 28, 2019 Superb model! Nowadays, when I hear the name Caproni, I think of the movie "The Wind Rises". This certainly carries the hallmarks of a Caproni design! 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeaton01 Posted August 28, 2019 Share Posted August 28, 2019 Awesome, I've never seen this type before. Great modeling! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SafetyDad Posted August 28, 2019 Share Posted August 28, 2019 Excellent! I've not come across this aircraft before, and what a wonderful job you've done constructing it! Very impressive SD 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pheonix Posted August 28, 2019 Author Share Posted August 28, 2019 Many thanks for the generous comments. I forgot to add in the write up above that this was built as part of a tribute GB to Des Delatorre, founder and original owner of http://ww1aircraftmodels.com website and an outstanding gifted modeller. If you have not visited the site but are interested in WW1 aircraft I strongly recommend having a look as the site welcomes modellers of all abilities. The plans came from the internet: http://drawingdatabase.com/caproni-ca-5/ There are several sets of plans published but they all seem to be from the same original source. P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehed Posted August 28, 2019 Share Posted August 28, 2019 Beautiful job. I take it the Caproni Triplane is somewhere on the horizon. Regards, Steve 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pheonix Posted August 28, 2019 Author Share Posted August 28, 2019 Thanks Steve, but er no, the triplane is not on the horizon at the moment - that really would be a challenge! Chris Peachment has built one - https://modelingmadness.com/review/w1/ity/peachca4.htm - he had problems with wing sag as he used 20 thou card for the wings which was not thick enough. Still a cracking model though. P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightpainter Posted August 28, 2019 Share Posted August 28, 2019 Really impressive 😃 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andwil Posted August 29, 2019 Share Posted August 29, 2019 Beautiful model and the fact that it is scratch built has me in awe of your skill. AW 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted August 29, 2019 Share Posted August 29, 2019 What a result! A true modelling. Congrats J-W 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bandsaw Steve Posted August 29, 2019 Share Posted August 29, 2019 Further to my earlier comment. I also like the base. My Avro will probably end up sitting on something similar. If I might be so bold - I would suggest making some little chocks for the wheels. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountain goat Posted August 31, 2019 Share Posted August 31, 2019 Truly masterful work. You have made a stunning model and there s so much to see in terms of shape and detail! Your Work in Progress is a must-read. There's lots to learn in there..! Jay 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted August 31, 2019 Share Posted August 31, 2019 As stated elsewhere, this is outstanding, as we have come to expect from you P. My question is, what's next? Ian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pheonix Posted August 31, 2019 Author Share Posted August 31, 2019 Jay: you are exceedingly generous in your remark - thank you. Ian: thank you for the kind comment....no pressure on me then!! My next build is a Hansa-Brandenburg W13 which is being posted in the current Flying Boats and Floatplanes GB on this site. I am excited about the opportunity to build a floaty thing and the H-B offers some simple challenges. It has been on my to do list for too long so this is an opportunity to rectify that problem. I really like the colourful Austro-Hungarian flying boats - more interesting than PC10 or PC12! P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ c Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 Great build of an unusual subject, nice one ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pheonix Posted September 3, 2019 Author Share Posted September 3, 2019 Thanks Russ for the kind remark - much appreciated. P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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