PE7220 CAPRONI CA.101

The Caproni Ca.101 was an Italian transport and bomber plane in a mixed high-wing structure with a fixed landing gear. The drive in the basic version was usually provided by three engines Alfa Romeo D2 200 HP each. The prototype flight took place in 1927. The aircraft was armed with two 7.7mm Lewis machine guns and a load of up to 500 kg of bombs. The Caproni Ca.101 aircraft was created as a distant development of the Caproni Ca.97 machine. The main differences were the much larger Ca.101 sizes, the use of three engines instead of one, and the strengthening of the entire structure - especially the fuselage. Various engines were also used in its production. Initially, these were engines Alfa Romeo D2, later much stronger was used Piaggio Stella VII with 370 HP each. Despite this significant change, the Ca.101 had a low top speed and rather poor performance. However, it was a very solid plane, with a strong structure, easy to pilot and capable of operating from field airfields. Aircraft of this type took part in the attack on Ethiopia in 1935-1936, after which they began to be withdrawn from line service. Aircraft of this type were sold to Austria, China and Hungary. In the service of the latter country, they took part in the attack on the USSR in 1941.