The Caproni Ca 60 Noviplano, dubbed the 'Capronissimo',
was an absurd aircraft which featured three sets of triplane
wings set above a giant fuselage which resembled some
sort of luxury houseboat.
The Caproni Ca 60 was designed by Count Gianni Caproni
of Italy. Caproni was a prolific aircraft designer, and
the Ca 60 was probably the most unusual of all his creations.
The Caproni Ca 60 was powered by eight 400 horsepower
Liberty V12 engines. Four of the engines were mounted
on the leading set of wings, while the other four were
located on the third row of wings and helped push the
aircraft along.
Originally it was hoped that the Caproni Ca 60 would carry
up to 100 passengers back and forth across the Atlantic.
However during the aircraft's first flight on 4th March
1921 it crashed back into the water after only reaching
a height of around 60 ft (18 meters).
Fortunately the pilot survived the impact and partial
breakup of the aircraft. Perhaps even more fortunately
for the pilot - and any future passengers - he never had
to fly it again as it caught fire and was completely destroyed
while it was being rebuilt.
Caproni Ca 60 dimensions:
Length: 77 ft (23.45 meters)
Wingspan: 98 ft (30 meters)
Height: 30 ft (9.15 meters)
Weight: 55,100 lbs (26,000 kgs)
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