NAVYPEDIA

Ships

Names	Builders	Completed	Losses	Transfers	Discarding
CA1, 2	Caproni, Milano: CA1, 2	4/1938: CA1, 2	CA1 (9.9.1943), CA2 (captured by Germany 9.9.1943)	none	none

Technical data

Data variant	as completed	1941 conversion
Displacement standard, t
Displacement normal, t	13.3 / 16.1	11.8 / 13.8
Length, m	10.0	10.0
Breadth, m	1.96	1.96
Draught, m	1.60	1.60
No of shafts	1	1
Machinery	1 MAN diesel / 1 Marelli electric motor	1 Marelli electric motor
Power, h. p.	60 / 25	25
Max speed, kts	6.3 / 5	7 / 6
Fuel, t	diesel oil	---
Endurance, nm(kts)	700(4) / 57(3)	70(2)
Armament	2 - 450 TT (ext cradles, 2)	8 x 100kg explosive charges
Complement	2	3
Diving depth operational, m	55	55

Standard scale images

Project history

First midget submersibles of Italian Navy, created after the First World War. They were projected in an initiative order by Caproni, then Navy has become interested in them and has given out the order for building of two midgets. It was originally supposed to use them as anti-submarine crafts. Trials have passed unsuccessfully: boats have appeared very unstable on periscop depth at the slightest sea motions.

In 1941 they were transferred to 10th MAS flotilla for usage as underwater transports. Diesels, torpedoes and periscope were removed. Boats were arranged for transportation of eight 100kg explosive charges and three frogmen. It was supposed to use these boats for attack of harbours on Western coast of USA where it was supposed to deliver them on a deck of large submarines.

Modernizations

1941, both were rebuilt as special carriers, as given in the table.

Naval service

No significant events.