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Old 04-17-2012, 12:52 PM   #1
copeab
 
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Default [WWII] Caproni Ca.201 observation autogyro (Italy, fictional)

Caproni Ca.201 observation autogyro
Copyright 2012 by Brandon Cope

The Ca.201 was designed in the late 1930's as an observation craft for use in the Italian controlled regions in North and East Africa where there was insufficient facilities to support fixed-wing aircraft. Originally unarmed, two machineguns and provisions for a light bomb load (or drop tank) was added to the production models. The Ca.201 proved quite useful until it began encountering British fighter planes, after which it's use was greatly limited to liaison duties. The primary operational problem was the rather long (for an autogyro) take-off run. Most pilots were also unhappy with the enclosed cockpit.

Crew consists of the pilot. The Ca.201 uses 6.3 gallons of aviation fuel per hour.

Subassemblies: Small Helicopter Chassis +2, Rotors -1, three fixed Wheels +1
P&P: 140 kW HP gasoline engines w/140-kW prop, 24 gallon standard tank [Body]
Occ: 1 CS Cargo: 1.

Armor
Body: 2/2
Rotors: 3/10
Wheels; 3/5

Weaponry
2*Aircraft LMG/Breda-SAFAT Mod 30[Body:F] (500 each)

Equipment
Body: Medium range radio receiver and transmitter, bomb sight, navigational instruments, 220-lb hardpoint.

Statistics
Size: 50'x40'x12'
Payload: 0.31 tons
Lwt: 0.81 tons
Volume: 72
Maint.: 138 hours
Price: $2,100

HT: 12
HP: 56 [body], 16 [each rotor], 5 [each wheel]

aSpeed: 150
aAccel: 5
aDecel: 8
aMR: 1.75
aSR: 1
Stall: 40 mph
Take-off roll (loaded): 56 yards.
Landing roll (hardpoint empty): 14 yards

Design Notes
Design speed was 174 mph. This was lowered to the maximum of 150 mph for a rotary wing at TL6.

Performance includes loaded hardpoint (220 lbs bombs or 27.5 gallon drop tank).

To better match historical autogyros, rotor area was raised to the 1.75 power in stall calculations and 1.5 power in speed calculations. Takeoff was divided by 3 and landing distances by 10.

Variants
The Ca.202 removed the two nose machineguns and hardpoint. The pilot's position was unenclosed and an open observer position was added behind the pilot. The observer was provided with a light machinegun for rear defense. This version was generally more popular than the Ca 201 but was madein smaller numbers.
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Last edited by copeab; 05-02-2012 at 11:59 AM.
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Old 04-17-2012, 06:08 PM   #2
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Default Re: [WWII] Caproni Ca.201 observation autogyro (Italy, fictional)

Nice! Autogyros are one of those historical technological cul de sacs that doesn't get much recognition. I've always felt they'd fit in great in a 30's pulp adventure story, or of course steampunk.
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Old 04-17-2012, 08:49 PM   #3
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Default Re: [WWII] Caproni Ca.201 observation autogyro (Italy, fictional)

Quote:
Originally Posted by vierasmarius View Post
Nice! Autogyros are one of those historical technological cul de sacs that doesn't get much recognition. I've always felt they'd fit in great in a 30's pulp adventure story, or of course steampunk.
I have two more autogyros I'm working on, one almost finished (~95%) and the other still in the design stage. Both are really pulp designs; they are outclassed even in a weird WWII campaign.
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Last edited by copeab; 04-17-2012 at 08:56 PM.
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Old 04-19-2012, 08:27 AM   #4
Phaelen Bleux
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Default Re: [WWII] Caproni Ca.201 observation autogyro (Italy, fictional)

Quote:
sSpeed xx with hardpoint empty.
Top secret, eh?
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Old 04-19-2012, 10:13 AM   #5
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Default Re: [WWII] Caproni Ca.201 observation autogyro (Italy, fictional)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Phaelen Bleux View Post
Top secret, eh?
Oops, that sentence should have been cut. As it is now ;)
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