Caproni Ca.60 Transaero Noviplano Nonoplane Flying Boat

Italian aeronautical engineer Gianni Caproni had gained fame during the First Worl War for designing several successful bombers for the Italian Air Force. After the war, Caproni began work on what was to become his most ambitious project, a trans-Atlantic flying boat capable of transporting over one hundred passengers.

In 1919 the then 33-year-old Caproni patented his design and began construction in a canvas hanger on the shores of Lake Maggiore. His project was huge – nine wings each with a span of 100 feet (30.5 meters) and a fuselage of 74 feet (22.6 meters). A close examination of this photo shows Caproni seated on the outrigger float in the lower center.

The aircraft was powered by eight Liberty V-12 engines, each rated at 400 hp, two flight engineers were to service the engines from positions within the nacelle fairings. The design was to be capable of maintaining flight even with three of the eight engines out of service.

The Ca.60 emerged from its construction hanger for the first time on 20JAN21. The intention was to launch the aircraft into the water the next day, but these efforts met with a series of misfortunes. The water level of Lake Maggiore had receded which necessitated extensions of the launching rails. Handling the aircraft resulted in several broken wing ribs which need to be replaced, and an engine starter failed. The Transaero finally entered the water in operating condition on 09FEB21.

The aircraft underwent a series of taxiing and engine trails which were satisfactory. Due to its large size and unusual configuration it was the subject of much interest and curiosity at the time. The aircraft handled well on the water, but reportedly showed an eagerness to lift off when taxiing at speed.

A fine portrait of the Ca.60 moored to a buoy which shows her overall layout to advantage. Seating for one hundred passengers was provided within the hull, the pilot and co-pilot were seated in an open cockpit within the upper forward hull. Four engines were mounted within three nacelles on the forward wings, four more engines were mounted to the after set of wings.

A contemporary illustration on the cover of La Petit Journal showing the Transaereo in flight. Note the artist has taken several liberties with the design as it was actually constructed. The aircraft was celebrated in Italy at the time as the pinnacle of aeronautical engineering.

A view inside the cockpit for those wanting to detail their scratchbuilt Ca.60 models.

Another interior view, this time showing the rows of luxurious bench seats.

The aircraft flew for the first time on 12FEB21 (or 02MAR21, sources vary). Take off speed was a mere 50 mph (80 kph) and the Transaereo reportedly flew and handled well. However, the second flight brought disaster as the aircraft stalled upon take-off and suffered a structural failure when it hit the water. The crew was uninjured but the aircraft was a wreck.

The forward portion of the aircraft sank while the center and aft sections remained on the surface. The wreck was towed to shore, where it was determined that while most of the metal components and the engines could be salvaged the wooden and canvas components would have to be entirely rebuilt. While this was considered, costs and political opposition prevented any further progress on the project.

Today several Ca.60 artefacts are preserved in museums in Italy. Pictured are several components including one of the outrigger floats in the Museo Aeronautica Caproni in Trento.