Caproni ca.42 questions

The RNAS bought 6 Caproni ca.42 bombers (1918?). Does anyone have information on the color scheme and markings of those planes? Photos?

From what I understand, this is an image of one of the six British planes. I assume the markings on the tale are red white and blue bars (front to back). If no one knows how it was painted, what would be a good guess? Was their a standard color scheme for RNAS bombers?

Also, from the pictures I have seen of this and other Caproni bombers, it looks like they had fixed fins with no rudder. This link shows it best:
http://www.wwi-models.org/Photos/Ita/Capro...roni/index.html

THe wires seem to make the fins immovable. If this is correct, how did they stear on the ground? Coordinate turns, etc?

Jeff

[MikeW]

Jeff,

the six machines were allocated the serial numbers N526 to N531, these were "experimental" numbers.

They were not actually purchased but supplied on loan to be used for anti-submarine work in Southern Italy.

The fins were a "bit queer", there was a horizontal band, about 1/3 of the depth of the fin, and this was marked blue/white/red (from front to back), so the fin went (from top to bottom) 1/3 body colour, 1/3 national markings, 1/3 body colour. looks like a normal British cockade on the fuselage side and a white box for the serial number on the fuselage just in front of the tail.


I would suggest that they didn't have fixed fins, but "all flying rudders". Could be wrong, but that's what it looks like.


The body colour looks very light to be the normal RNAS PC10 or PC12, but too dark to be clear doped linen - I would suggest they were left in standard Caproni colour.

I will try to scan it for you tomorrow.

Mike

Thanks Mike:

I looked at another view of the fins on a CA.36 and it looks like they must be all flying rudders but the rigging is confusing.

Thanks for the help.

[leo]

In a parallel vein, I understand plans were afoot to build Capronis in the US. Who was to build them and where? Were any completed and or used by the US at any time?

A quick internet search turned up http://www.aerofiles.com/ from which I clipped the following:


Fisher
Fisher Body Works, Cleveland OH.
-Caproni Ca.46 1918 = License-built Italian Caproni bomber, SEE Standard-Caproni for data. POP: 1 built and registered, but not accepted by the Army [AS42119]; disposition unknown. Fahey says 3 were built, but no s/ns were found.

also, under the heading "Standard Caproni"

Caproni Ca.46 1918 = Army bomber of Italian design, built under license. 3pOB; three 350hp Liberty 12 (two tractors and one pusher; span: 76'9" length: 41'2" (>41'5") load: 4650# v: 103/94/x range: c.400 ceiling: 14,760'. Unusual twin-fuselage design with a central half-fuselage pod for crew and the pusher engine; triple fins. Saw no war service. POP: 2 [AS40070/40071], plus 1 built by Fisher Body Works [AS42119]. Jane's and Fahey claim 5 built (3 by Fisher), but no s/ns were found for another two.

[MikeW]

Here is the promised scan. This is N527.

[chip55]

Hello
Here is a pic of the Ca36 at the Usaf museum in Dayton Ohio.
It sure is a beauty!! :-*

http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/early_years/ey3.htm

Be well
chip55