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Gianni Caproni

Pursuing a broad technical education Gianni Caproni graduated in Civil Engineering from the Polytechnic Institute of Munich. Other degrees followed in Electrical Engineering from the Montefiore Institute of Leige, and in Aeronautical Engineering from his studies in Paris.

After returning to his native Italy in 1910, he designed and built his first airplane, a single-engine, twin propeller biplane, the CA-1. The next year he established the Caproni Company and Flight School, the forerunner of the Caproni organization which was to build 180 different types of aircraft over the next half a century.

During World War I, Caproni designed a number of heavy bombers which played a major role in the allied strategic bombing campaign. The highly successful CA-33 bomber design was mass produced in England, France, and the United States as well as Italy, with an unprecedented total of 745 bombers manufactured by the Milan Caproni works alone.

Postwar, Caproni turned his design talents to civil aviation, converting his famous bombers to passenger and cargo aircraft. Among these were: the CA-60 transport, capable of carrying 60 passengers; the six-engined, 6000 HP. CA-90 biplane which in 1930 set a world's record for altitude and duration; and the CA-161 which in 1938 flew to an altitude record for propeller driven aircraft of 65,000 feet. During World War II he was in charge of all aircraft production in Italy. He remained active in the Caproni Company until his death.

Invested 1983 in the International Aerospace Hall of Fame

From "These We Honor," The International Hall of Fame; The San Diego Aerospace Museum, San Diego, CA. 1984

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Updated: February 23, 1999