Caproni Ca.3 The Caproni Ca.3 was an Italian heavy bomber of World War I and the postwar era. It was the definitive version of the series of aircraft that began with the Caproni Ca.1 in 1914. The Ca.3 was a three-engined biplane of wooden construction, with a fabric-covered frame. The crew of four were placed in an open central nacelle (front gunner, two pilots and rear gunner-mechanic). The rear gunner manned upper machine guns, standing upon the central engine in a protective “cage” in front of a propeller. The fixed…
Month: October 2021
Macchi M.7
Macchi M.7 The Macchi M.7 was an Italian single-seat fighter flying boat designed by Alesandro Tonini and built by Macchi. A modified version of the M.7, the M.7bis won the Schneider Trophy in 1921. The M.7 was similar to the earlier M.5 but had a modified hull and was powered by an Isotta Fraschini V.6 engine. Due to the end of World War I, only 17 aircraft were delivered to the Italian Navy. In 1919, two were sold to Argentina and four to Sweden, and in 1921, Brazil bought three.…
SAVOIA-POMILIO SP.2
Savoia-Pomilio SP.2 The Savoia-Pomilio SP.2 was a reconnaissance and bomber aircraft built in Italy during the First World War. It was a refined version of the SP.1, and like it, took its basic configuration from the Farman MF.11: a biplane with twin tails and a fuselage nacelle that accommodated the crew and a pusher-mounted engine.The SP.2 entered mass production with SIA, and with co-designer Ottorino Pomilio’s own firm that he had recently established. Around 300 examples were produced, and by spring 1917, these equipped twelve front-line squadrons of the Aeronautica…
Arthur Bellringer
Corproal Bellringer Councillor’s Son Missing at Singapore Corporal Arthur Bellringer R.A.S.C.. second son of Councillor Mrs Bellringer, of West Wickham, is officially reported missing at Singapore. The official intimation, however, gives some ground for hoping that he is a prisoner of war. On April 20 – several days after the War Office message – Mrs Bellringer received a letter from her son. It was dated January 10 and stated: “We are still at sea, but only for one more day; in fact, when this letter is posted you will know…
Società Aeronautica Meccanica Lombarda (S.A.M.L.) S.2
Società Aeronautica Meccanica Lombarda (S.A.M.L.) S.2 The S.A.M.L. (Società Aeronautica Meccanica Lombarda) was the main Italian constructor of the German Aviatik B.1 and B.2 designs up to 1916. In 1916-1917 the company developed this model into a native design called the S.1, which was powered by a 260 hp Fiat A-12 engine and equipped with a rotatable 6.5mm Revelli machine-gun on a tripod mounting in the rear cockpit. A further development of the S.1 including a modified and enlarged rudder, a second machine-gun and a more powerful engine resulted in…
Società Italiana Aviazione 7B
Società Italiana Aviazione (SIA) 7B The SIA 7B was a biplane reconnaissance-bomber built by the Società Italiana Aviazione and served with the Italian Corpo Aeronautico Militare and American Expeditionary Force in 1917. It used the standard Italian structural feature of a plywood-covered fuselage. The SIA.7B was accepted for the Italian Air Force in November 1917 and entered mass production. There were however revealed its shortcomings, like low wing structure durability and poor view. Next variant SIA.7B2, developed in December 1917, had strengthened wings, slightly raised cockpits and stronger engine. Another…
W. J. Bennett, Acting Leading Seaman
Missing Acting Leading Seaman W. J. Bennett Acting Leading-Seaman W.J. Bennett, who has been posted missing, is the son of Mr and Mrs Bennett, 41 Gundolph Road, Bromley. He joined the Royal Navy after leaving the Royal Naval School, Greenwich, and was at Singapore when the Japanese captured that place. Every endeavour is being made to ascertain what has happened to him and others left behind at Singapore. They may be prisoners of war. Mr and Mrs Bennett have had a letter from the British Red Cross Society and Order…
Ansaldo S.V.A.5
Ansaldo S.V.A.5 An exceptional aircraft for its time, the Ansaldo S.V.A.5 was preceded by the S.V.A.4 which was designed in 1917 by Umberto Savoia and Rodolfo Verduzio with Celestino Rosatelli. The principal difference between the S.V.A.4 and the S.V.A.5 was fuel capacity. With a larger fuel tank, the S.V.A.5 could remain in the air two hours longer than the S.V.A.4. In air trials these aircraft were fast and sturdy but lacked the manoeuvrability necessary in a good fighter plane. As a result, the S.V.A.5 entered service as a long range…