Lot 2 - Nine early publicity prints and early Caproni Company documents
Lot 23 - 1938 CaB330, 1939 Ca204, 1940 Ca216, Caproni C.E.M.S.A, and CaGhibli
Lot 35 - Caproni GDL, Dyeline after a concept drawing of a single-engined ambulance aircraft
Useful Terms
Sezione Longitudinale and Vista in Franco are side views
Sezione Orizontale and Vista in Pianta are plan views
Vista di Fronte-front view
Tre Vista-three views
Modellino Aerodinamico-wind tunnel model
Baricentro-weight and balance
Idrovolante-Seaplane/ flying boat
Aerobatic-aerobatic
Prove-tests
Silurante-Torpedo
Engineer Campini is one of the pioneers of the jet engine. Having demonstrated a jet-powered boat, on Venice Lagoon in 1932, Campini was supported by the Italian Air Ministry to work with the Caproni Company to develop a jet aircraft (the resulting design Caproni CC2, or N1 flew successfully in 1940). Although Campini's engine differed from the modern jet, in that it compressed the air with a petrol engine rather than turbines, the reactive force of the burning gases produced the thrust which propelled the aircraft, so is considered a true jet.
A Private Collection of Bank Notes and Coins
Lots 247-315
The next two lots of are probably the earliest of Caproni’s sketches to have survived. They show the young engineer trying out ideas for flying machines. There are 24 pieces altogether, mostly on both sides of thin cheap paper. The sketches are done in pencil- with various calculations- and doodles. Many of the rough designs seem, through our retrospective eyes, to be hopelessly impractical. Although one contemporary viewer-Louis Bleriot- (Caproni had worked with Bleriot in 1910) has commented on one sketch (no.1) ‘Dearest Caproni what have you done?’
Generale Felice Porro (1891-1975)
An important figure in Italian Aviation, Porro was a pilot and associate with Caproni D’Annunzio, Balbo and the other prominent aviators. He was a prolific writer, and an enthusiastic observer, of all aviation subjects from its earliest days to the 1970s.
The following four lots detail experimental projects from 1942-44.