Warbird Information Exchange

Many may be familiar with the Caproni Campini N.1 "jet" which used a 900 hp piston engine buried in the fuselage to produce thrust and first flew on November 30, 1941. However, I hadn't heard of the Caproni Stipa experimental design until I ran into it on page 97 of "Italian Civil and Military Aircraft 1930-1945" by Jonathan Thompson, 1963. Doing some searching on the Internet, I found into this short video of the plane, which is pretty unusual. It is also known as the Stipa Caproni. The narration is in Italian. Just an FYI and perhaps put a smile on some faces. It did mine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB4-_OWz5qE

Randy

Funny! Wouldn't that just be a ducted fan?

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Lance Jones

It is basically that, agreed. Here is a web page with some more info.

https://www.historynet.com/caproni-flying-barrel.htm

Randy

There is a flying replica at Aerotec in Toowoomba.
http://www.aerotec.com.au/gallery.html

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If the CO ask,s you to be Tail End Charlie...Just Shoot Him..A Piece of Cake

The engine install looks like a Gipsy Major.

Yes, in the book mentioned above, it is listed as a 120 hp D.H. Gipsy III. "It was estimated that the fuselage contributed 37 percent of the total lift of the machine. The Stipa achieved a maximum speed of 81 mph and landed at 42 mph. Ceiling was 12,136 ft. Empty and loaded weights were 1320 lb. and 1760 lb."

Randy

Wouldn't a replica of one of those fit right in at Oshkosh...

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Defending Stearmans on WIX since Jeff started badmouthing them back in 2005.