Caproni Vizzola "Arciere II" twin-boom fighter project (1943)

[Stargazer]

Looking at these beautiful company drawings, one could think the designers at Caproni had seen the Vultee XP-54... But then again, it could just be the old "form follows function" routine, with separate teams reaching the same conclusions following the same requirements... I can't find any indication on the plans as to what engines would have been used. Anyway, this Caproni Vizzola "Arciere" II ("archer") would have been something of a beauty, had it been built, right?

 

[KVittorioVeneto]

At the auction there was another design called "Arciere I" and dated at May 1943, which is different if you compare it to the "Arciere II", so my only guess is that they initially went for a fighter proposal then switched into a heavy-fighter with a twin-boom design, amirite?

 

[archipeppe]

Never seen before, nice finding guys!!!

 

[Tonton-42]

Never seen before, nice finding guys!!!

Former of a design office in an advanced industrial field where I lived the manual realization of the plots (creation and evolution), I can attest to the beautiful graphic quality of these drawings made by hand. The admirable precision of the connections is noted, with perfect control by the designer. The importance of the documents constituting the definition files in the control of a product cannot be overstated since "in fine" they are the basis for certification in accordance with final acceptance, and not the production file ... But like many old people, I blab ...

 

[blackkite]

What is this?
Intercooler?

 

[airman]

Nice finding , so Caproni Vizzola Archiere I have a rough Design then Arciere II

 

[blackkite]

I think that this drawing shows the turbo charging system.
I can't understand how to cool the engine.

 

[Hardrada1955]

Parallel evolution with the SAAB J-21? J-21 used wing leading edge radiators. One of the drawings says DB605 engine

 

[blackkite]

This drawing shows non turbocharging system.
So there were two designs for Caproni Vizzola Arciere Ⅱ?

 

[Hardrada1955]

When I reviewed the drawings, I too received the impression that the drawings illustrated alternative supercharging methods.

 

[tomo pauk]

What is this?
Intercooler?

Ribs to help cool the exhaust gasses.
Note that turbine is very close to the engine, so having the overly-hot gasses hit the turbine would've spelled a fast & unscheduled disintegration of the turbine. Successful American designs involving turbochargers have had the turbines installed some way from the engine, so the turbines were 'saved' from the temperatures' peaks.

 

[blackkite]

Oh!! Thanks a lot. I think you are very sharp.
I want to know your opinion about engine cooling.
By skin cooler?

 

[Justo Miranda]

What is this?
Intercooler?

It is a heat spreader to cool the engine's exhaust gases and make them less visible at night. It is a design typical of a night fighter. It is not designed with a propulsive effect.

 

[southwestforests]

Looking at these beautiful company drawings,

Former of a design office in an advanced industrial field where I lived the manual realization of the plots (creation and evolution), I can attest to the beautiful graphic quality of these drawings made by hand. The admirable precision of the connections is noted, with perfect control by the designer. The importance of the documents constituting the definition files in the control of a product cannot be overstated since "in fine" they are the basis for certification in accordance with final acceptance, and not the production file ... But like many old people, I blab ...

Indeed, the artistic quality of the drawings has its own attraction and beauty in its aesthetic use of line and tone.

 

[blackkite]

I can see a bellows at the left end of the exhaust gas cooling manifold to absorb manifold thermal expansion.

 

[blackkite]

Hi!

 

[Hardrada1955]

Just my theories:
A: I don't know what this is;
B: I think this is the big fuel tank right behind the pilot;
C: I think these are the radiators in the wing leading edge (same place the Swedes put their radiators);
D: I don't know what this is;

 

[Tonton-42]

I can see a bellows at the left end of the exhaust gas cooling manifold to absorb manifold thermal expansion.

Differential expansion of the elements but perhaps also isolation or vibration compensation ?

 

[blackkite]

I think that this exhaust gas cooling manifold also contributes to cooling the engine body to some extent. I think it works similarly to a so-called cold plate. The surface area of this manifold is large, and although I don't think the area of the cooling fins is as large as that of an air-cooled engine, it seems to be quite large. I think that the air-cooling effect of this manifold combined with a water-cooled surface cooler may cool the engine.
It would be interesting to use a computer to analyze the engine cooling effect of this manifold.

 

[blackkite]

Just my theories:
A: I don't know what this is;
B: I think this is the big fuel tank right behind the pilot;
C: I think these are the radiators in the wing leading edge (same place the Swedes put their radiators);
D: I don't know what this is;

My opinion.
A : Floor grating
B,C : Fuel tank
D : Skin cooler

 

[Hardrada1955]

My theory is that this picture illustrates the placement of the fuel tanks.

 

[blackkite]

Hi!

 

[blackkite]

Hi! Side view difference.

 

[ACResearcher]

With that tiny tail surface I would guess the directional stability would be about zero.

AlanG

 

[blackkite]

Anyway, mysterious design indeed!