A GIANT BOMBING PLANE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 22, 20 October 1917, Page 9

A GIANT BOMBING PLANE

2750 POUNDS Of BOMBS. That Italy should be in the lead as refrnrds giant bombing-planes must needs bo a surprise to the laity; but to the world of aviation it , is only regarded as the logical outcome of a persistent, enu , - fully conducted effort along lines bound to bring results. Early in the'war Italy introduced large uombing-pluncs of the Caproni type, and since then Italian aeronautical engineers have qiiietly been dedoping this class of aircraft. But all tho while they have not forgotten for a moment the cardinal importance nf the swift scout and fighting types, and even in those classes Italy is unexcelled, says thn "Scientific American."

Typical of Italy's large bombing-planes i« a Caproni triplane. equipped with three 1100 horse-power Isotla I'Yaschini piiginr-s, or a total of 300 horse-power. This machine can readily carry tlireo persons and 27501b. of bombs; indeed, the total useful lowl is 44001b.-fupl for «ix hours, a crow of three, three guns, and 27501b. of bonibs. The giant bombing-planers said to niake close on to 80 milts nor hour, nnd is idea] for bombing Austrian military establishments and for anti-submarine work.

Major "R. Pcrfotti, of the Italian Royal Flying Corps, recently slated that Italy has devnloppd a machine of !KW hotsepowcr. capable of carrying three lonF. Also, the Ttalian aircraft constructors have reached a point where an »?rop!iii«' of 1000 horsepower can Ire hfr'ned nut. carrying over three (ons tnlnl load, and with a cruising radius of 300 to Ball miles. In their nxperinipnb; with powerful engines Ttnlian engine-builders have rleveloppd 700 horse-powpi- enginps, and at present. lOflfl hni>-p-power engines ar,- Ijeimr contemplated. Incidentally, Major Perfctti calls attention to Italv's aeronautical nmcress in other lines i the fastest nrroplnne in the world, with n. speed of 1,1!) miles an hour; the fastest seaplane, with i> sneed nf 112 miles ,an hour; and one of tho host climbers.