The Caproni Ca.310 Libeccio was a reconnaissance aircraft used by the Italian Royal Air Force (Regia Aeronautica) during World War II. Being a reliable and efficient flying machine, this airplane was highly impressive in the pre-war years, attracting significant foreign orders, including 300 from the United Kingdom and 200 from France. It was developed from the Ca.309, featuring retractable landing gear and more powerful engines. In the Mediterranean theater of the war, it would also be used as a light bomber to provide fire support to the Italian Army units in North Africa. Thus, it was one of Italy's most versatile military aircraft of WW II.
The prototype of the Caproni Ca.310 performed its maiden flight on February 20, 1937. It would enter service with the Royal Italian Air Force in March 1938. In July 1938, 16 Libeccio aircraft were sent to Spain to reinforce Francisco Franco's nationalist air force, thus taking part in the Spanish Civil War. In its original version, the Ca.310 flew with the air forces of Norway, Peru, Yugoslavia, and Italy. It was also tested as a transport plane with twin floats. By the outbreak of World War II, it had been developed into a number of improved variants. The Ca.311 had an extensively glazed nose for bomb aiming and reconnaissance. This version would be followed by the Ca.312, which had more powerful Piaggio engines. French and British interests, however, centered on the Ca.313, which also served with Sweden as transport and torpedo-bomber.
Technical Description
The Caproni Ca.310 was a medium-size, twin-engine monoplane of all-metal construction. The airframe consisted of welded steel tubes, while its monocoque fuselage was made of light alloy metal panels. The movable surfaces, like tail elevator and ailerons, were covered with fabric. The Ca.310 was fitted with all-metal low wing, with both leading and trailing edge tapering towards the tip. On the dorsal side of fuselage, there was a turret housing a 7.7-mm machine gun. The aircraft was powered by two Piaggio Stella P.VII C.35 radial piston engines, each one being able to deliver 470 horsepower. All in all, it was a sturdy aircraft that could take a tremendous amount of punishment.
Specifications
Type: reconnaissance/light bomber
Length: 12.2 m (40 feet)
Wing Span: 16.2 m (53 feet, 2 inches)
Wing Area: 38.7 m2 (417 square feet)
Height: 3.52 m (11 feet, 7 inches)
Power Plant: two 470-HP, Piaggio Stella P.VII radial engines
Maximum Speed: 365 km/h (227 mph)
Range: 1,690 km (1,050 miles)
Service Ceiling: 7,000 m (23,000 feet)
Crew: 3
Armament: three 7.7-mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns; 450-kg (1,000-lb) of bombs.
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| Above, the Ca.310 in 1939. It would see extensive combat service in Mediterranean Theater. |
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| The prototype of the Libeccio in early 1938. As soon as it was approved for service, 16 would be sent to Spain. |
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| The Ca.310 in flight |