Caproni Noviplano flying boat (static display)

Count Gianni Caproni, builder of some fine aircraft, chose for some reason to build a giant flying boat with no fewer than nine wings and eight engines. With this, or an even bigger version, he hoped to fly over 100 passengers across the Atlantic. Amidst all the struts and wings, the absence of any tail surfaces could easily be overlooked. Reportedly making a short hop without incident, the official first flight was less successful. Rising to about 18m above Lake Maggiore, the suddenly nosed down and dived into the water. Some said that testing had shown the need for a lot of lead ballast and that this had shifted in flight. Test pilot Semprini crawled out of the wreck unscathed. Later a mysterious fire destroyed the remains and ended the Count's transatlantic dream. Specification CREW 8 ENGINE 8 x 400hp Liberty piston engines WEIGHTS Take-off weight 24993 kg 55100 lb DIMENSIONS Wingspan m 98 ft 5 in Length m 77 ft 0 in