Italy was one of the first countries in the world to develop and use heavy bombers. The Caproni Ca-3 appeared in 1913. The first time these were used on a bombing raid in the First World War was on 20th August 1915. Over the next three years 269 Ca-3s were built. Most of these were used by the Corpo Aeronautico Militare but they were also purchased by the French Air Service.

Performance Data of the Caproni Ca-3
Type heavy bomber
Engine 3 x 150 hp Isotta-Fraschini
Wing Span 72 ft 10 in (22.2 m)
Length 35 ft 9 in (10.9 m)
Height 12 ft 2 in (3.7 m)
Maximum Speed 85 mph (136 kph)
Maximum Height 13,451 ft (4,100 m)
Endurance 3 hours 30 minutes
Armament 4 machine-guns, 1,000 lbs (453 kg) of bombs