Caproni was an Italian aerospace manufacturer that operated from 1908 to 1950. Its main base of operations was located in Taliedo, near Milan’s Linate Airport. Initially founded by Giovanni Battista “Gianni” Caproni as Società de Agostini e Caproni, the company produced several small single-engine aircraft that became important milestones in the early development of Italian aviation. During the First World War, Caproni became one of the most important Allied aircraft manufacturers. It was responsible for the design and manufacture of large, multi-engine long-range bombers, such as the three-engined Caproni Ca.32, Ca.33, Ca.36 and Ca.40, which were used by the Italian and French militaries.
Following the war, Caproni transformed into a sizable aviation-orientated syndicate, Società Italiana Caproni, Milano, after acquiring several other aviation firms throughout the interwar period. Its aircraft portfolio mostly consisted of bombers and transport aircraft. Caproni played a pioneering role in the development of the Caproni Campini N.1, an experimental aircraft powered by a thermo-jet, and provided large numbers of combat aircraft for the Axis during the Second World War. The firm did not fare well in the postwar era, with the Società Italiana Caproni collapsing in 1950. Many of the company’s former assets were subsequently acquired by the Italian helicopter specialist Agusta.