Biplane Caproni decorates the airport terminal
14. 06. 2012 - Interior of Airport Bratislava departure terminal is decorated by the only existing replica biplane Caproni Ca 33 in the world. Model of the airplane by which General Milan Rastislav Stefanik was returning back to Slovakia in 1919 is hanging on wire ropes running from the ceiling beams in the public part of the departure hall in a landing position towards passengers. Thanks to partly uncovered fuselage and wings the airport visitors can see the structure of this historical item.
There was an intention of the airport to design interior of the new building in an original style which is typical for the region and to be different from traditional types of airports. The aviation motive can be felt in all terminal premises. Ribbed structure of historical planes can be recognized in the facade of shopping and restaurant area while roofing of check-in counters in the departure hall evokes a design of airplane wings. Biplane Caproni replica in scale 1:1 completes the whole mentioned concept.
Original parts of the biplane Caproni Ca 33 represent 3 propellers which are today nearly 100 years old. The Italian bomber weighs 2 300 kg, the wingspan is 22,20 m. At the time of its active use the maximum speed was 130 km/h but the plane was characterized by a very good manoeuvrability. Plane was equipped with fuel tanks allowing up to 4 hours flight. Frame of the replica is made of wood as the original, it is covered with a cloth and reinforced with steel cables. There are only two original Caproni planes in the World, in Italy and USA.
