With the expansion of Italy’s overseas possessions, it became necessary to increase the number of aircraft suitable for operation in the harsh conditions of Africa. There was a growing need for a specialized “workhorse,” similar to the British Lysander or the French Nieuport and Breguet aircraft series. For a long time, the Italians had sent multipurpose Caproni aircraft to Africa, which had performed admirably in the colonies.
Development of the C.3 Project
Nevertheless, in 1938, Italian designer Ambrogio Colombo began developing a specialized machine, designated C.3, specifically for colonial air forces. This was an all-wood, twin-engine monoplane with enclosed cockpits and tailwheel landing gear. The project was in the preparation phase for metal construction, but Colombo himself died during Ambrosini SS.4 testing before reaching that moment.
Ermanno Bazzocchi continued the work, managing to complete the first prototype only in the summer of 1943. The C.3’s testing period proved to be too brief; in one of its subsequent flights, the aircraft crashed due to engine failure. Meanwhile, the situation in the country changed dramatically, and the “colonial aircraft” ceased to be relevant for the Italian Air Force.
The C.3’s Legacy
The second prototype, intended to use Cirrus “Major” engines, remained unfinished. After the war, the C.3 documentation was transferred to the Macchi company, which used it to create the 6-seat passenger MB.320.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | C. 3 |
| Wingspan, m | 12. 50 |
| Length, m | 8. 40 |
| Wing area, m2 | 19.60 |
| Empty weight | 1300 |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 1950 |
| Engine type | 1 Piston engine Alfa Romeo 111 |
| Power, hp | 1 x 155 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 317 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 290 |
| Practical range, km | 1600 |
| Practical ceiling, m | 6400 |
| Crew, crew members | 2 |
| Payload | 2 passengers |
Image and diagram gallery of the Ambrosini C.3 Colonial Aircraft Project
 Ambrosini C.3 |
 Ambrosini C.3 |
 Ambrosini C.3 |
 Ambrosini C.3 |