Stipa-Caproni tubular fuselage monoplane

This was an experimental aircraft, preceding the Caproni-Campini N.1.
It basically was a flying venturi tube with a 120 h.p. de Havilland Gipsy III engine fitted inside it, while the propeller turned in the front edge of the tube.
The crew sat in a bulge on top of the fuselage. 1932.

The Stipa-Caproni tubular fuselage principle.

A very rare in-flight photo of the Stipa-Caproni tubular fuselage aircraft.

3/5 Scale flying Replica of the Stipa-Caproni

Anyone heading west out of Toowoomba on the Warrego Highway (120 km west of Brisbane, Australia) can often see interesting aircraft
coming and going from Lynette Zuccoli's Aerotec hangar as they pass the airport. In October 2001 they would have enjoyed the unique
sight of what looked like a 'beer barrel with wings' taxying up and down making an occasional 'hop'. There were two short flights
witnessed by a group of people and photographed by a professional photographer (Craig Justo).
The Aircraft was airborne for approximately 500 meters , height was at top about 5 /6 meters. This was on both flights.
Even though it was a very short distance, the pilot, Bryce Wolf was able to report that the aircraft flew in a manner which was very similar
to the original test flight report in 1931. Lynette Zuccoli is the owner of this unique replica. Info: www.aerotec.com.au
In 1932 Caproni built an experimental aircraft with a 'venturi duct fuselage' designed by Dott. Ing. Luigi Stipa.
The 3/5-scale replica was built by Bruce Wolf for Aerotec Pty. Ltd. and is powered by a 75 h.p. Simmonini Vee Twin engine.

The Stipa-Caproni replica with beautiful authentic color scheme.

Another successful flight.

Interesting view into the venturi duct fuselage.

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