Caproni Ca.3

DonnyW · 11 May 2004, 09:30 AM

Hi again, I will start a new topic on my Caproni model as it is an ongoing project. I have found it quite hard getting reference for this aircraft but have the following link http://www.wwi-models.org/Photos/Ita/Caproni/
also Windsock Datafile 78 Caproni Ca3 which has excellent drawings to form my plan and also Warbirds: military aircraft of the first world war. Ive almost finished the small 60" span prototype shown in the picture. The reason for making this semi scale model was to work out the best way to construct a proper scale job and to check its flying characteristics before committing myself to the larger model

DonnyW · 11 May 2004, 09:37 AM

I have started the scale model which at 108" span will be 8th scale (it is a large aircraft in real life&#33

Im trying to construct the framework in the same manner as the real example and its based on the one at the USAF museum in the above link. Here is a picture of the front gunners position. Unfortunately I cant find out if the gun mounting unit forms a complete ring around the gunner or is, as Ive made it, a semi circle. Does anyone have a picture of this particular planes gunner position ??

DonnyW · 11 May 2004, 09:40 AM

Here is a picture of the pilots area.. I think its accurate enough as there is a picture on the linked site showing this area from the side as the aircraft was being restored. If anyone has any info eg history of this particular aircraft I would love to hear about it

DonnyW · 21 August 2004, 03:46 AM

Thought I would update this thread. Ive taken a break from 3D models to try and get my Caproni prototype flying before the summer weather runs out. If it flys, I will build the larger scale version over the winter.

DonnyW · 21 August 2004, 03:49 AM

Not much to go now, one wing panel, final rigging and servos to fit. Its my first twin engine job.. so should be interesting. Thanks for looking..

22 August 2004, 04:14 AM

That is one lovely model......I lookforward to the flying pictures!.
It is such a shame to have a 'museum' quality model coated in engine fuel! or maybe that is no problem.

Well done

Ian

DonnyW · 22 August 2004, 08:56 AM

It should be in the air (with a bit of luck !&#33

next weekend or the following one Ian. This one will get very "mucky" as its two x .15 two strokes for power. They spew out quit a bit of caster oil. It should be three , one in the rear but as its only a test model, Im trying to keep my costs down and up close..its quite rough. I dont think this one will last too long as the engines are a bit unreliable. If one cuts, the other will spin it into the ground very quickly

unless I can cut it too.. and hope it glides well. Hopefully the long wing span should give me a bit more time to react. The full scale one will be powered by four stroke engines which are far more reliable and cleaner. To protect the models from the fuel residue I paint them with varnish which also seals in the chalk dust I "weather" them with. I will keep you informed of it flight performance .. or lack of it as the case may be

Its the "uncertainty" of each flight that keeps me interested in flying models. If every flight was perfect.. I think it could get boring after a while

23 August 2004, 12:41 PM

I'm doing a scratch built Airco DH1.............for brushless electric power.
You just gotta luv E power for multi's...............

Ian

DonnyW · 23 August 2004, 02:19 PM

I think your right there Ian. Ive a very good friend who has been heavily involved in electric for a few years now. He builds some very large models too. The attached is 9 foot span and was built and flown before Lipo's and brushless motors !! CANT for the life of me remember what the name of the plane is though

He tried to persuade me to do the Caproni in electric .. almost did too .. but for me there is something about hearing two or more fourstrokes all in sync that makes the heart flutter. Something electric cant do. As for the two strokes .. these are the only two I have left. I just hope they have the power (two .15's) to get the six lb weight airbourne. Should fly fine one clear of the grass

25 August 2004, 04:01 AM

I think that it is a CANT........Italian 3 motor...........dont know the model type.
I am also converting a FLAIR Pup to Electric, but stalling on the Li-poly purchase, but I'm sure they are not far off..........still expensive though.

Ian