Caproni-Campini N1 (CC.2)

Kingdom of Italy (1940)

The Caproni-Campini N1 was anything but an advancement for jet-powered flight, often refered to as a technological dead end.

Detailing the development and operational history of the Caproni-Campini N1 (CC.2) Technology Demonstrator Aircraft. Entry last updated on 5/31/2017. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com

With the introduction of the N1 (may also be known as the CC.2), Italy became only the second nation in the world to achieve jet-powered flight (Germany being the first), though the development of this particular aircraft did little to further the arrival of the jet age and help a nation stuck on the losing end of a World War. Engine designer Secondo Campini joined forces with the Caproni aircraft firm to try and produce fruit for his labor in reaction propulsion technology. The product would become an interesting mix of the old and the new, for the N1 would feature a basic piston engine driving a fan compressor system with ignited fuel for added propulsion - in effect becoming an engine with afterburn characteristics to an extent. Though not a true turbojet, the N1 was nonetheless a practice aircraft and would prove the engine design possible but effectively become a design that could not be furthered to become something more.

The N1 became a large aircraft design piloted by two personnel. It was a low-wing monoplane with a traditionally-designed empennage and a single vertical tail surface. The intake was open at the extreme forward position and exhaust jettisoned at the extreme rear of the aircraft. The first flight was achieved in 1940 and several more controlled flights followed soon after. As this was mostly a technology demonstrator than a viable fighter design, no armament was fitted the to the system. Landing gear was powered and fully retractable. Keeping with early "jet" designs of the time, wings were straight-wings and featured the distinct smooth curves of piston engine fighter designs. The N1 would achieve a top speed of only 233 miles per hour.

The Caproni-Campini N1 (CC.2) neither a true piston engine aircraft or a full-blown turbojet design. As a result, development of this type of technology proved to be a dead end for the most part and the failing war effort at home put priorities for Italy mostly on the defensive. The N1 would never truly achieve much beyond proving a design concept and bringing Italy one step closer to the jet age. The N1 would go on to survive through the end of the war, becoming a museum set piece.

Our Data Modules allow for quick visual reference when comparing a single entry against contemporary designs. Areas covered include general ratings, speed assessments, and relative ranges based on distances between major cities.

Image of collection of graph types

Relative Maximum Speed Rating

Hi: 300mph

Lo: 150mph

This entry's maximum listed speed (233mph).

Graph average of 225 miles-per-hour.

Aviation Era

Useful in showcasing the era cross-over of particular aircraft/aerospace designs.

Unit Production Comparison

Comm. Market HI*: 44,000 units

Military Market HI**: 36,183 units

* Commercial Market High belongs to Cessna 172.

** Military Market High belongs to Ilyushin Il-2.

Altitude Visualization

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Supported Mission Types:

Anti-Ship

Airborne Early Warning

VIP Travel

Origin: Kingdom of Italy

Year: 1940

Type: Technology Demonstrator Aircraft

Manufacturer(s): Caproni-Campini - Italy

Production: 1

Global Operators:
Kingdom of Italy

Historical Commitments / Honors:

Military lapel ribbon for Operation Allied Force

Military lapel ribbon for the Arab-Israeli War

Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of Britain

Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of Midway

Military lapel ribbon for the Berlin Airlift

Military lapel ribbon for the Cuban Missile Crisis

Military lapel ribbon for the Falklands War

Military lapel ribbon for the French-Indochina War

Military lapel ribbon for the Golden Age of Flight

Military lapel ribbon for the 1991 Gulf War

Military lapel ribbon for the Indo-Pak Wars

Military lapel ribbon for the Iran-Iraq War

Military lapel ribbon for the Korean War

Military lapel ribbon for the 1982 Lebanon War

Military lapel ribbon for the Malayan Emergency

Military lapel ribbon for the attack on Pearl Harbor

Military lapel ribbon for the Six Day War

Military lapel ribbon for the Soviet-Afghan War

Military lapel ribbon for the Spanish Civil War

Military lapel ribbon for the Suez Crisis

Military lapel ribbon for the Vietnam War

Military lapel ribbon for Warsaw Pact of the Cold War-era

Military lapel ribbon for the WASP (WW2)

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2

Military lapel ribbon for the Yom Kippur

* Ribbons not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns/operations.

Structural - Crew, Dimensions, and Weights:
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Caproni-Campini N1 (CC.2) model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.

Operational
CREW

Personnel
2

Dimension
LENGTH

Feet
42.98 ft

Meters
13.1 m

Dimension
WIDTH

Feet
52.00 ft

Meters
15.85 m

Weight
EMPTY

Pounds
8,025 lb

Kilograms
3,640 kg

Weight
LOADED

Pounds
9,248 lb

Kilograms
4,195 kg

Installed Power - Standard Day Performance:
1 x Isotta-Fraschini radial piston engine generating 900 horsepower driving a three-stage, ducted-fan compressor system.

Performance
SPEED

Miles-per-Hour
233 mph

Kilometers-per-Hour
375 kph

Knots
202 kts

Performance
CEILING

Feet
13,123 ft

Meters
4,000 m

Miles
2.49 mi

Armament - Hardpoints (0):

None.

Variants: Series Model Variants
• None.