Caproni Ca.161
 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (June 2013) |
| Ca 161 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | High-altitude experimental aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Caproni |
| Designer | Rodolfo Verduzio |
| First flight | 1936 |
The Caproni Ca.161 was an aircraft built in Italy in 1936, in an attempt to set a new world altitude record. It was a conventional biplane with two-bay, staggered wings of equal span, based on Caproni's Ca.113 design. The pressure-suited pilot was accommodated in an open cockpit.
On 8 May 1937, Lieutenant Colonel Mario Pezzi broke the world altitude record with a flight to 15,655 m (51,362 ft). The following year, Pezzi broke the record again in the more powerful Ca.161bis, making a flight to 17,083 m (56,047 ft) on 22 October 1938. As of 2015, this record still stands for piston-powered biplanes.
A final altitude record for floatplanes was set on 25 September 1939 in the float-equipped Ca.161Idro, piloted by Nicola di Mauro to 13,542 m (44,429 ft). As of 2012, this record also still stands.
Variants
- Ca.161 – original version with Piaggio P.XI R.C.72 engine
- Ca.161bis – improved version with Piaggio P.XI R.C.100/2v
- Ca.161Idro – floatplane version
Specifications (Ca.161bis)
Data from Italian Civil and Military Aircraft 1930–1945 apart from weights
General characteristics
- Crew: one, pilot
Performance
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 236.
- Thompson, Jonathan (1963). Italian Civil and Military Aircraft 1930–1945. Fallbrook, California: Aero Publishers, Inc. p. 93.