The Airone company was founded 1920 at Bergamo and renamed Cantieri Aeronautici Bergamaschi (CAB) in 1927. It became a part of the Caproni empire in the early thirties. With ing. Cesare Pallavicino now installed as its chief designer, the company was renamed Caproni Aeronautica Bergamasca in 1938 and went on to become the most advanced and productive division of Caproni during WWII.

Caproni AP.1. Derived from the Ca.301 single seat prototype, the two seat AP.1 (Assalto Pallavicino) was powered by an Alfa Romeo 126 radial and first flew in 1934. The Regia Aeronautica ordered a second series with a larger wing and a more powerful engine. They were obsolete by WWII, even in the reconnaissance role. LF Models released a pair of 1/72 resin kits. The Dujin and Legato 1/72 resin kits are discontinued

Caproni Ca.135. Bergamaschi took over development of this aircraft from its parent company, so its original Ca.135 designation was retained. Built for export, this twin-engined medium bomber was fitted with all types of engines during development. Only the Piaggio radial engined aircraft, as supplied to Hungary, had any useable performance. ItalianKits have re-issued the Cunarmodel 1/72 Ca.135 IF Asso and the Ca.135S (Spagna) A80 RC41. They plan two more future releases, the Ca.169 P.XII RC.35 and the Ca.135bis P.XI RC.40. The orignal Curnarmodel kit is highly detailed with good interior detail.

Caproni Ca.308 Borea. This is first aircraft in the 'Borea' lineage which was to take up the bulk of Bergamasca production throughout WWII. Alitaliane released 1/72 resin kits of both the civil and military versions of this 1930s aircraft. Now discontinued.

Caproni Ca.309 Ghibli. This elegant plane was a major step up in the the Borea programme. An evolution of the Ca.308, this twin-engine multi-role aircraft had a revised fuselage and was fitted with Alfa Romeo inline engines. The discontinued 1/72 Italian Wings & Vintage Models resin were not great but LF Models do a 1/72 resin kit of the Kaproni Bulgarski Ka.309 Papagal, a license built Ca.309.

Caproni Ca.310 Libeccio. Developed at the same time as the Ca.309, this variant was the first to have a retractable undercarriage. It was powered by Piaggio radial engines. Overall performance was disappointing and was used mainly for reconnaissance by the Regia Aeronautica. It was exported to Norway, Spain, Hungary, Peru, Yugoslavia and Croatia although 33 Ca.310s were returned from Hungary and reassigned to the Regia Aeronautica. Special Hobby have produced the first injection moulded 1/72 scale kit of this aircraft. It has very nicely moulded parts, including resin pieces, with very good fabric effect and engraved panel detail. It was released in various boxings to cover all the nations it served under. One other kit is Broplans 1/72 vacuform kit.

Caproni Ca.311. Powered by uprated Piaggio radials, the distinctive 'glass-house' canopy of this aircraft, taken from an experimental Ca.310bis, was profoundly disliked by pilots, so a revised stepped canopy was introduced during production (Ca.311M modificato). Special Hobby released both versions of this aircraft in 1/72 scale and, just like their Azur Ca.310 kits, are highly recommended. It has clear fuselage parts with vinyl masks supplied for the glazing. This model practically relegates the elderly 1970 1/72 Italeri kit to ‘collectable’ status. A useful reference guide is the Ali d'Italia book.

Caproni Ca.312. Norway were unhappy with the C.310s they ordered. 12 uprated Ca.312s were built to fullfil the order but were not delivered due to the German invasion of 1940. They were put into service with the Regia Aeronautica instead.

Caproni Ca.313. A Delta engined variant of the Ca.310, intended as a replacement for the Ca.311. It had a higher top speed and was used by the Regia Aeronautica in the transport, trainer and reconnaissance role. Export orders were made by France and Sweden. Sweden suffered engine fires due to their alcohol/fuel mix having corrosive properties. France only received 5 before the onset of WWII. There is a Ca.313 replica in the Flygvapenmusuem in Linkoping. The now discontinued Italeri's 1/72 Ca.313/Ca.314 boxing is the only known kit of this type.

Caproni Ca.314. This was a more advanced and heavier armed Ca.313. Over 400 were built in three main tspes: the Ca.314 Scorta (maritime patrol); the Ca.314 Ricognizione Aerosilurante and the Cay.314 Combattimento, which was the most numerous (254). It was the most widely used 'Borea' type aircraft in Regia Aeronautica service.The now discontinued Italeri's 1/72 Ca.313/Ca.314 boxing is the only known kit of this type.

Caproni Ca.316. This is a floatplane variant of the Ca.310 intended to replace the Ro.43 but it never got past the prototype development stages. Broplan released a 1/72 vacuform kit.

Caproni Ca.331 Raffica. This elegant prototype was the first all metal Bergamaschi design but the Regia Aeronautica did not show any interest. The Germans, however, were hugely impressed but any effort to get it into full scale production failed. The 1/72 KPL vacuform kit is discontinued, but LF Models have produced 1/72 resin kits of both the Osservazione Aerea & Caccia Notturna prototypes.

Caproni Ca.335 Maestrale. A 1937 tandem two-seater prototype intended for the fighter/reconnaissance role. This single engined monoplane design was eventually sold to the Belgian SABCA company, who gave it the designation of S.47. They were unable to start production due to the German invasion. Omega Models produce 1/72 resin kits of both the Ca.335 and S.47, which are essentially the same kit but with different decals.

Caproni Ca.355 Tuffo. This 1941 dive-bomber prototype was a scaled-down variant of the Ca.335 that, despite successful trails, did not receive a production order. Omega Models have a 1/72 resin kit of this aircraft in their catalogue, with decals for two aircraft.

Caproni Vizzola

Caproni Vizzola started out as Caproni's flying school Scuola di Aviazione Caproni. Caproni Vizzola S.A. was modernised in the mid-1930's and started production of their own aircraft with their chief designer ing.F. Fabrizi.

Caproni Vizzola F.4. The F.4 prototype was developed in parallel with the F.5. Fitted with a DB.601 engine instead of the intended Delta, the project stalled when the F.6 was given priority. The sole prototype saw action in the defence of Rome. Available as a 1/72 resin kit from LF Models.

Caproni Vizzola F.5. Developed alongside the F.4, this neat radial engine aircraft was the first to literally get off the ground. About 11 were built and were used as a night fighter in defence of Rome just before the Armistice. Kora Models have released a 1/72 resin kit. The Dujin and Alphaflight 1/72 kits are discontinued.

Caproni Vizzola F.6M & F.6Z. These were 2 modified F.5 prototypes. One was powered by a DB.605 and had all metal wings, hence the M 'metallico' designation. The other was powered by a 24-cylinder Issota Fraschini Zeta engine. The 1/72 KPL F.6M vacuform kit is discontinued but LF Models have 1/72 resin kits of both variants.

AP.1

Ca.135 IF Asso

Ca.135 A80 RC41

Ca.308

Ca.309

Ca.311

Ca.310

Ca.312

Ca.313

Ca.314

Ca.316

Ca.331

F.4

F.6Z

F.6M

F.5

Ca.335

Ca.355