Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

Caproni Ca.161

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Engine type
  
Reciprocating engine

Designer
  
Rodolfo Verduzio

Manufacturer
  
Caproni

Caproni Ca.161 Caproni Ca161bis Archives This Day in Aviation

The Caproni Ca.161 was an aircraft built in Italy in 1936, in an attempt to set a new world altitude record. It was a conventional biplane with two-bay, staggered wings of equal span, based on Caproni's Ca.113 design. The pressure-suited pilot was accommodated in an open cockpit.

Contents

Caproni Ca.161 FileCaproni Ca161 scafandro 1jpg Wikimedia Commons

On 8 May 1937, Lieutenant Colonel Mario Pezzi broke the world altitude record with a flight to 15,655 m (51,362 ft). The following year, Pezzi broke the record again in the more powerful Ca.161bis, making a flight to 17,083 m (56,047 ft) on 22 October 1938. As of 2015, this record still stands for piston-powered biplanes.

Caproni Ca.161 Can you ID this Fighter Jet Page 800 Adventure Rider

A final altitude record for floatplanes was set on 25 September 1939 in the float-equipped Ca.161Idro, piloted by Nicola di Mauro to 13,542 m (44,429 ft). As of 2012, this record also still stands.

Caproni Ca.161 httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

Variants

Caproni Ca.161 Caproni Ca161 Wikipedia

  • Ca.161 - original version with Piaggio P.XI R.C.72 engine
  • Ca.161bis - improved version with Piaggio P.XI R.C.100/2v
  • Ca.161Idro - floatplane version

    • Specifications (Ca.161bis)

    Data from Italian Civil and Military Aircraft 1930-1945 apart from weights

    General characteristics

    Caproni Ca.161 Caproni Ca161

  • Crew: one, pilot
  • Length: 8.25 m (27 ft 1 in)
  • Wingspan: 14.25 m (46 ft 9 in)
  • Height: 3.50 m (11 ft 6 in)
  • Wing area: 35.5 m2 (382 ft2)
  • Empty weight: 1,205 kg (2,657 lb)
  • Gross weight: 1,650 kg (3,638 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Piaggio P.XI R.C.100/2v 14-cylinder radial driving a 4-blade propeller, 560 kW (750 hp) each

    • Performance

  • Service ceiling: 17,083 m (56,047 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 10.3 m/s (2,018 ft/min)

    • References

    Caproni Ca.161 Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA