Italy: Regia Aeronautica Warplanes of the Second World War: Caproni fighters and bombers

Regia Aeronautica Warplanes of the Second World War: Caproni fighters and bombers

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Caproni Ca.100 trainer, on display in the Italian Air Force Museum, Vigna di Valle on Lake Bracciano in central Italy. Previously Reg. No. I-GTAB, it is marked with the registration FIR-9, appropriate to a Ca.100 serving at the Florence basic Flying School in the mid-1930s, Italy.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Caproni Ca.100 Idro floatplane variant in the Museo dell'Aeronautica Gianni Caproni, Trento, Italy.

Caproni Ca.111 reconnaissance. (Regia Aeronautica Photos)

Caproni Ca.133 transport/bomber. (Regia Aeronautica Photos)

Caproni Ca.133, captured in North Africa, operated by the RAF. (RAF Photo)

(Regia Aeronautica Photos)

Caproni Ca.135 bomber.

Caproni Ca.148 transport. (Regia Aeronautica Photos)

Caproni Ca.164 liaison. (Regia Aeronautica Photos)

Caproni Ca.165 fighter. (Regia Aeronautica Photos)

Caproni Ca.308/A.P.1 Boreas (North Wind) light bomber. (Regia Aeronautica Photos)

Caproni Ca.309 Ghibli (South Wind) reconnaissance. (Regia Aeronautica Photos)

Caproni Ca.309 Ghibli (South Wind) reconnaissance in RAF markings. (RAF Photo)

Caproni Ca.309 Ghibli (South Wind) reconnaissance. This Ghibli was captured by the RAAF in North Africa. Originally used for dropping flares, this aircraft was converted to transport personnel and flown by RAAF No. 3 Squadron. (Jim Kinnear Photo)

No. 3 Squadron, RAAF arrived at Castel Benito on 22 January 1943, and seized an Italian Caproni Bergamashi Ca 309 Ghibli, a twin-engined light transport and reconnaissance aircraft, to use as a unit communications hack. It made its first flight with the squadron on 1 February 1943, coded CV-V. It made a number of long flights to Cairo and Alexandra in Egypt and remained on duty with the squadron until 4 September 1943. No. 3 Squadron also acquired a Caproni Bergamashi Ca 164 two-seat light aircraft, possibly found at Castel Benito. It was recorded as in use on 2 March 1943 and on through 29 May 1943.