Caproni CH.1

The Caproni CH.1 was a single-seat biplane fighter, a single example of which was produced as a prototype in Italy in 1935.

The designer Chiodi himself piloted the CH.1 on its first flight, which took place in May 1935.

After the Caproni company finished its tests, the Regia Aeronautica, tested the CH.1 at Guidonia Montecelio in July and August 1935.

Although powered by an engine of lower power than its designer intended, the CH.1 had an exceptional rate of climb.

Tests ended when the CH.1 flipped over onto its back during a landing and was damaged in August 1935.

The Regia Aeronautica did not place a production order, and no further examples were built.

Specifications

Crew

One

Length

7.19 m (23 ft 7 in)

Wingspan

8.60 m (28 ft 3 in)

Height

2.90 m (9 ft 6 in)

Wing area

19.00 m2 (204.5 sq ft)

Empty weight

1,400 kg (3,086 lb)

Gross weight

2,000 kg (4,409 lb)

Powerplant

1 × Piaggio Stella P.IX R.C.40 9-cylinder radial,

417 kW (559 hp) at 4,000 m (13,000 ft)

Propellers

3-bladed variable-pitch

Performance

Maximum speed

327 km/h (203 mph, 177 kn) at sea level

377 km/h (234 mph; 204 kn) at 5,000 m (16,000 ft)

Cruise speed

380 km/h (236 mph, 205 kn)

Range

1,000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi)

Rate of climb

5.51 m/s (1,085 ft/min)

Time to altitude

7.26 minutes to 4,000 m (13,000 ft)

Armament

Guns

2 × fixed, forward-firing 7.70 mm (0.303 in) Breda-SAFAT machine guns.