page_title: Caproni Campini N.1
section_title: Operational history
hierarchical_section_title: Caproni Campini N.1 / Operational history
caption_attribution_description: English: Testing the Campini Caproni's (CC-2) jet engine
context_page_description: The Caproni Campini N.1, also known as the C.C.2, was an experimental jet aircraft built in the 1930s by Italian aircraft manufacturer Caproni. The N.1 first flew in 1940 and was briefly regarded as the first successful jet-powered aircraft in history, before news emerged of the German Heinkel He 178's first flight a year earlier.
  During 1931, Italian aeronautics engineer Secondo Campini submitted his studies on jet propulsion, including a proposal for a so-called thermo-jet to power an aircraft. Following a high-profile demonstration of a jet-powered boat in Venice, which was the world's first vehicle to harness jet propulsion, Campini was rewarded with an initial contract issued by the Italian government to develop and manufacture his envisioned engine. During 1934, the Regia Aeronautica granted its approval to proceed with the production of a pair of jet-powered prototype aircraft. To produce this aircraft, which was officially designated as the N.1, Campini formed an arrangement with the larger Caproni aviation manufacturer.
  The N.1 was powered by a motorjet, a type of jet engine in which the compressor is driven by a conventional reciprocating engine.
context_section_description: On 27 August 1940, the maiden flight of the N.1 occurred at Caproni facility in Taliedo, outside of Milan. It was performed by test pilot Mario De Bernardi, an accomplished aviation figure who had previously been responsible for setting several world records in seaplanes and aerobatic aircraft; he would go on to conduct the majority of the N.1's test flights. This initial flight lasted for ten minutes, during which De Bernardi deliberately kept the speed of the prototype below 225 MPH, less than half throttle, due to doubts surrounding the untested airframe's ability to withstand the potentially high loading that it would be subject to when flown at high speeds. Since the first flight of the jet-powered Heinkel He 178, a year before to the day, at the time had not yet been made public, the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale recorded the event as the first successful flight by a jet aeroplane.
  Subsequent flight tests with the first prototype led to a maximum speed of roughly 320 MPH being recorded. However, testing revealed several issues with the engine; particularly the determination that it lacked the ability to produce sufficient thrust to achieve high performance if it were to be matched to a strengthened airframe to withstand the high loading pressures. One of the more unusual issues to be encountered during the flight test programme was the considerable amount of engine heat which was conveyed into the cockpit; in order to fly the aircraft, the crew were forced to keep the canopy open throughout the flight, which effectively vented the heat. There were a few shortcomings, however the overall results of the first flight were positive.
  On 30 November 1941, the second prototype was flown by pilot De Bernardi and engineer Giovanni Pedace from Milan's Linate Airport to Rome's Guidonia Airport, in a highly publicised event that included a fly-past over Rome and a reception with Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini. It was the first cross-country jet flight, as well as being the first mail delivery by a jet-powered aircraft.  The flight included a stopover at Pisa, possibly to refuel, and was conducted entirely without the use of the rear burner.
  Indeed, the N.1 served as a demonstrator and pioneer of jet technology being applied to the field of aviation. The November 1941 flight resulted in no less than 33 nations, some of which being at a state of war with Italy, sending their official congratulations in recognition of the achievement; in this respect, the N.1 could be viewed as having been relatively successful. Aircraft designers and engineers around the world paid attention to the findings; according to economics author Harrison Mark, Soviet aircraft design bureau TsAGI obtained details on the N.1 programme and were encouraged to pursue work on a similar design; as such, there is a basis for stating that the design of the N.1 influenced subsequent early jet aircraft.
  The experience gained from the N.1 proved influential to Campini. Having formed a partnership with another Italian aircraft company, Reggiane, and aircraft designer Roberto Longhi, he commenced work on an entirely new design; this would have represented a significant departure from the N.1, including the decision to abandon the indigenous Italian engine it used in favour of a German-provided counterpart. This aircraft, the Reggiane Re.2007, was envisioned to be a combat-capable fighter, unlike the purely experimental N.1. Campini would go on to work on a number of jet-powered aircraft, including the Boeing B-47 Stratojet.
  Testing of the two N.1 prototypes continued into 1943, however the programme was heavily hindered by events of the Second World War, specifically the extensive Allied invasion of Italy which would see the collapse of the nation's Fascist government. During an Allied bombing attack on Caproni's factory in Taliedo, one of the experimental aircraft was destroyed. After the conflict had reached its end in 1945, one of the remaining prototypes was transported to the United Kingdom for study at the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) in
caption: The C.C.2 during a ground test, with the tail section removed. Note the lit burner within the airflow from the compressor.
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