Norway’s WWII Aircraft You Didn’t Know About

In the late 1930s, Norway arranged a trade agreement with Italy that allowed the purchase of Caproni CA 310 aircraft. This exchange used dried and salted cod as payment, which gave the plane a nickname related to “clipfish.” Although it seemed like an unusual deal, Norway hoped these twin-engine aircraft would help modernize its air force. The CA 310 was an Italian light bomber and reconnaissance plane that could seat three crew members. It had a length of around 12 meters, a wingspan of about 16 meters, and weighed over 4,500 kilograms when fully loaded. Two radial engines provided around 470 horsepower each, giving the plane a top speed of about 365 kilometers per hour and a range of over 1,600 kilometers.

The CA 310 originally carried three 7.7 mm machine guns and could drop up to 450 kilograms of bombs. However, the Norwegian version removed one of the forward-firing guns, possibly to save weight or adjust the balance. Norway also acquired the rights to produce the plane locally at the Sola workshop. Materials such as steel, wood, and fabric were familiar to Norwegian technicians, who had experience with similar aircraft construction. Four CA 310s arrived in Norway, and they kept their Italian camouflage while adding Norwegian insignia to the tail and wings.

A Deal Built on Clipfish

By 1939, Norway planned to buy more Caproni aircraft. The improved model was the CA 312 bis, featuring more powerful engines at 600 horsepower each. Two were almost ready for delivery by April 1940, with twelve more to follow in August. However, the German invasion of Norway on April 9, 1940, disrupted these plans. Some records suggest that Norway intended to have a total of 32 CA 312 planes, but none arrived before fighting began. The few that were built remained in Italy until 1942 and were then taken by the Italian air force for transport duties.

Meanwhile, the four CA 310s already in Norwegian hands gained a reputation for poor engine performance. Mechanics nicknamed them “Hangar Queens” because they often needed maintenance. One was even used by a Norwegian airline, painted white and labeled “B,” for carrying mail between Norway and Sweden or Denmark. This plane required three engine replacements and had two mid-flight engine failures, yet managed to land safely each time using the remaining engine.

The Fate of the Norwegian CA 310s

When war broke out, Norway moved the four Caproni planes to Sola airfield for neutrality patrols. By April 9, 1940, the Sola base had twelve aircraft, including the Capronis. Early that morning, German aircraft attacked, catching the Norwegian forces by surprise. One CA 310 was destroyed on the ground before it could take off, while another was damaged by bombs and had to be abandoned. Only one Caproni, numbered 505, escaped with a few other planes. It flew north for a time but eventually landed on a beach near Valder, where it was left behind and later burned by German forces.

Though all four CA 310s were lost, some remains of number 505 were found decades later. A small part of the cockpit, one control yoke, and an instrument had survived. The Sola Aviation Museum began a project to rebuild this plane, piece by piece, until it became the only CA 310 in the world. After many years of work, the museum finished restoring it and painted it in its original colors. This aircraft stands as a reminder of Norway’s unusual trade deal with Italy and the short-lived service of the Caproni CA 310 in Norwegian hands.