The initial prototype was known under the company designation of Ca.40 and this was followed by the production-quality Ca.41 which numbered 41 total aircraft - these powered by FIAT A.12 inline engines of 280 horsepower (each). The Italian air service tested the platform during 1917 before formal operational service was granted in 1918. The heavy bombers were used along the Italian-Austro-Hungarian Front where it proved itself a relatively fast, robust and reliable product that held a considerable bomb load.
With its sound design and triple-engine layout, the aircraft could reach a maximum speed of 87 miles per hour and range out to 435 miles while flying at altitudes up to 9,845 feet. Rate-of-climb was listed at 410 feet-per-minute.
Then came twelve of the Ca.42 model which introduced the 400 horsepower Liberty engines mentioned above. The Ca.43 served as a "one-off" flying boat derivative and the Ca.48 marked post-war passenger airliners converted from wartime bombers. The Ca.51 became another one-off form powered by FIAT A.14 series engines of 700 horsepower (each) and featured a new tail assembly. Ca.52 marked British Ca.42s and numbered six aircraft. The Ca.58 sported either Fiat A.14 or Isotta Fraschini V.6 series engines and the Ca.59 became its export designator.
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