At the end of the First World War, the Italian aviation industry suffered a grave setback: cancellation of all active military orders. Besides resulting in a severe crisis for the manufacturers, this decision allowed large quantities of military aircraft to suddenly become available at derisory prices. Gianni Caproni, the dynamic and genial designer and manufacturer, already had significant experience in the design of large aircraft. In 1913 he conceived and constructed the Ca.3 three-engine biplane bomber, and in 1917 the giant Ca.4 triplane bomber, used by the Esercito Italiano during the last months of the First World War. It was, therefore, inevitable that the expertise acquired by his company in the manufacturing of bombers pushed Caproni to exploit them as a starting point for large commercial transport aeroplanes.
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