Cesare Pallavicino, from the Breda company, designed the Italian monoplane attack aircraft known as the Caproni Bergamaschi AP.1.
Derived from the Ca.301, a single-seat fighter model that was never mass-produced, the AP.1 was a two-seater variant with an upgraded Alfa Romeo radial engine.
It was designed to function as both a fighter and an attack aircraft, featuring a low-wing monoplane structure with a fixed landing gear of mixed construction and covered legs.
Despite being a monoplane in a time when biplanes were more common, the Caproni was still considered outdated due to its fixed landing gear.
The AP.1 prototype took its maiden flight on 27 April 1934.
A total of 12 aircraft were produced and delivered by 1936.
During the same year, the Regia Aeronautica placed an order for a second series with enhancements such as a stronger Alfa Romeo engine and improved aerodynamic landing gear.
It was common practice to remove the bulky landing gear trousers for maintenance purposes while in operation.
Variants
Ca.301
Two single-seat fighter prototypes
Ca.305 / AP.1bis
Initial production version
Ca.307
Second production version
Ca.308
Seven aircraft sold to Paraguay
Specifications
Crew
Two
Length
9.34 m (30 ft 8 in)
Wingspan
13.01 m (42 ft 8 in)
Height
3.00 m (9 ft 10 in)
Empty weight
1,940 kg (4,277 lb)
Powerplant
1 × Alfa Romeo 126 RC.34,
582 kW (780 hp)
Performance
Maximum speed
347 km/h (216 mph, 188 kn)
Range
1,500 km (935 mi, 812 nmi)
Service ceiling
6,500 m (21,320 ft)
Armament
2 × 7.7 mm (.303 in) Breda SAFAT machine guns
1 × 12.7 mm (.50 in) machine gun
500 kg (1,102 lb) of bombs.
Sources
Aeroplani Caproni: Gianni Caproni and his aircraft, 1910-1983-R Abate, G Alegi, G Apostolo.
Gianni Caproni-Una storia italiana-F Bianchessi.
Gli Aeroplani Della Caproni Aeronautica Bergamasca-R Abate.
