The Caproni Ca.133 served as a three-engined transport/bomber aircraft utilised by the Italian Regia Aeronautica from the Second Italo-Abyssinian War through World War II.
Initially designed as a commercial airliner to replace the Ca.101, the Ca.133 prototype took its maiden flight in December 1934, with production commencing in 1935.
These military variants were employed for transport and light bombing missions across various theatres of war.
Additionally, a lengthened transport model known as the Caproni Ca.148 was also manufactured.
The Caproni 133, created by engineer Rodolfo Verduzio, was an enhanced version of the Ca.101 in terms of aerodynamics and structure.
Similar to its predecessor, the Ca.101, it was a sturdy and cost-effective aircraft designed for easy maintenance in challenging conditions and economical operation.
Its construction consisted of a welded steel-tube framework with a combination of metal and fabric covering, along with main wheel spats, flaps, and modified tail surfaces.
The wing, positioned at a high-mount, had an approximately elliptical shape and was constructed using wood and steel.
The undercarriage was both spatted and fixed.
The aircraft was equipped with three engines, one located in the nose and the other two mounted under each wing in streamlined nacelles.
These nacelles were supported by steel tubes and featured NACA cowlings.
The military variant saw extensive use by Regia Aeronautica, particularly in Italian East Africa.
Equipped with two small internal bomb bays, it had a capacity of up to 500 kg (1,100 lb).
Additional ordnance could also be attached externally.
The aircraft was armed with four 7.7 mm (.303 in) Breda-SAFAT machine guns – one dorsal, one ventral, and two laterals.
When utilised as military transports, designated as Ca 133T, the interior was altered to accommodate 18 fully equipped soldiers.
The Ca 133 served in the theatres of the Second Italo-Abyssinian War (1935–1936), the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), and World War II (1939–1945).
Variants
Ca.133
Bomber and transport
Ca.133S
Medical transport
Ca.133T
Troop transport
Ca.148
Stretched eight seat civil / military transport.
Specifications
Crew
5 (bomber)
2 (transport)
Capacity
16 pax (transport)
Length
15.36 m (50 ft 5 in)
Wingspan
21.24 m (69 ft 8 in)
Height
4 m (13 ft 1 in)
Wing area
65 m2 (700 sq ft)
Empty weight
4,190 kg (9,237 lb)
Gross weight
6,700 kg (14,771 lb)
Powerplant
3 × Piaggio Stella P.VII C.16,
7-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines,
343 kW (460 hp) each
Propellers
3-bladed variable-pitch propellers
Performance
Maximum speed
230 km/h (140 mph, 120 kn)
Cruise speed
200 km/h (120 mph, 110 kn)
Range
1,350 km (840 mi, 730 nmi)
Service ceiling
5,500 m (18,000 ft)
Wing loading
100 kg/m2 (20 lb/sq ft)
Power/mass
0.210 kW/kg (0.128 hp/lb)
Armament
Guns
4 × 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Breda-SAFAT machine guns
Bombs
1,200 kg (2,646 lb) of bombs.
Sources
Courage Alone, The Italian Air Force 1940-1943-Chris Dunning.
Regia Aeronautica, 1935-1943-Mirosław Wawrzyński & Zbigniew Lalak.
Regia Aeronautica, 1940-1943, Vol 1-Squadron Signal. Italian Civil Military Aircraft 1930-1945-J W Thompson.
