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Eric Berg
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Barrel Role: The Stipa-Caproni

May 24, 2021 · in Aviation · · 6 · 6.7K

For those of you who aren't already acquainted with this early 30's Italian flying barrel of an experiment, here is the Stipa-Caproni for your reading and visual aero-tainment:


Disclaimer: The above color photo of a Stipa-Caproni is actually a 3/5 scale flying replica that was built in Australia and photographed during a test flight in October 2001. It was never flown again and is now on static display in Toowoomba Airfield, Australia.

Here's a brief lowdown from Prof.Wikipedia:

The Stipa-Caproni, also known as the Caproni Stipa, was an experimental Italian aircraft designed in 1932 by Luigi Stipa (1900–1992) and built by Caproni. It featured a hollow, barrel-shaped fuselage with the engine and propeller completely enclosed by the fuselage—in essence, the whole fuselage was a single ducted fan. Although the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Royal Air Force) was not interested in pursuing development of the Stipa-Caproni, its design influenced the development of jet propulsion.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stipa-Caproni




And now for your viewing pleasure, follow this YouTube link and skip the ad to watch vintage footage of the actual Stipa-Caproni during it's test fight. Note the extreme bouncing around in the cockpit upon landing.
Enjoy!

youtu.be/mQ0ZQesixms · on youtube

Reader reactions:
10  Awesome

6 responses

  1. " its design influenced the development of jet propulsion" yes, indeed, the F-86 Sabre, MiG-15 and J 29 would have never been without this important contribution 🙂

  2. That's a strange, amazing machine, my friend @eb801!
    The modern "Fantrainer" plane had a very similar configuration.
    Loved the video, what a bounce indeed!
    Thanks for sharing!

  3. Very interesting, thanks for sharing this!

  4. Thanks for sharing Eric, @eb801
    The pilot must have been very brave to take this one on its first flight.

  5. pretty cool, though I don't forsee one in my display cabinets!

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