Kaproni-Balgarski KB-14 Bora
The Caproni Bora was developed in Italy by the Caproni aviation manufacturer. The Italians needed a sturdy, low-maintenance tactical airlifter and transport both for use in the Italian Metropole and in their African territories. Caproni analyzed similar aircraft entering service elsewhere in the world and incorporated many of their features into their final design, which first flew in January 1947 and entered service with the Italian military in December of 1948. The Bora proved extremely rugged and reliable in service, with outstanding rough-field and short takeoff characteristics.
In 1948, the prototype was demonstrated to the Bulgarian Air Force, which ordered twelve aircraft, to be constructed in Bulgaria by Kaproni-Balgarski. The KB-14 featured several changes to the avionics in order to be used by Cyrillic speakers, but was otherwise identical to the Italian design.
Specifications
Crew: 4
Passengers: 45 troops
Length: 22.65 m
Wingspan: 31.6 m
Height: 8.75 m
Wing area: 107.45 m²
Empty weight: 14,569 kg
Max takeoff weight: 25,272 kg
Powerplant: 2 × SAI R.25 radial engines, 2500 hp each
Performance
Maximum speed: 449 kph (242 knots, 279 mph)
Cruising speed: 347 kph (187 knots, 215 mph)
Range: 2,388 km
Ferry range: 4,955 km
Service ceiling: 7,200 m
Rate of climb: 7 m/s
Notes
Cargo can be loaded through a single hydraulically-operated ramp in the rear of the aircraft.
Variants
- KB-14 Bora: license-built in Bulgaria by Kaproni-Balgarski
- CASA C-252: license-built in Iberia by CASA