Ca 161 Role High-altitude experimental aircraft Manufacturer Caproni Designer Rodolfo Verduzio First flight 1936

Lieutenant Colonel Mario Pezzi wearing a pressure suit for a high-altitude flight.

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 [ edit ]

Ca.161 – original version with Piaggio P.XI R.C.72 engine

– original version with Piaggio P.XI R.C.72 engine Ca.161bis – improved version with Piaggio P.XI R.C.100/2v

– improved version with Piaggio P.XI R.C.100/2v Ca.161Idro – floatplane version

Specifications (Ca.161bis) [ edit ]

Data from Italian Civil and Military Aircraft 1930–1945 apart from weights

General characteristics

Crew: one, pilot

one, pilot Length: 8.25 m (27 ft 1 in)

8.25 m (27 ft 1 in) Wingspan: 14.25 m (46 ft 9 in)

14.25 m (46 ft 9 in) Height: 3.50 m (11 ft 6 in)

3.50 m (11 ft 6 in) Wing area: 35.5 m 2 (382 ft 2 )

35.5 m (382 ft ) Empty weight: 1,205 kg (2,657 lb)

1,205 kg (2,657 lb) Gross weight: 1,650 kg (3,638 lb)

1,650 kg (3,638 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Piaggio P.XI R.C.100/2v 14-cylinder radial driving a 4-blade propeller, 560 kW (750 hp)

Performance

Service ceiling: 17,083 m (56,047 ft)

17,083 m (56,047 ft) Rate of climb: 10.3 m/s (2,018 ft/min)

Armament

See also [ edit ]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References [ edit ]