The Origins of an Aviation Pioneer
Mario Calderara was born in Verona on October 10, 1879. In 1898, he enrolled in the Naval Academy in Livorno, graduating as an ensign in 1901. Besides the sea, Calderara had a second great passion: aviation. In 1905, he corresponded with the Wright brothers, even receiving detailed information from Wilbur Wright, which spurred him to conduct his own experiments.
With the support of the Navy, Calderara conducted hydroglider tests in the Gulf of La Spezia in 1907. The following year, he moved to France at the invitation of Gabriel Voisin. After participating in several Voisin company projects, Calderara, together with Ambroise Goupy, built the small Calderara-Goupy biplane, which flew in March 1909.
The Calderara Idrovolante: A World Milestone
That same year, Calderara obtained one of the first pilot licenses in Italy and conceived the idea of building a large (for that time) seaplane. With the Admiralty’s support, this machine, named Calderara Idrovolante, began construction in the Gulf of La Spezia in 1911.
In early 1912, the seaplane, equipped with a 100-horsepower Gnome engine, successfully made its first flight. At that time, it was the largest seaplane in the world. In the spring of the same year, during a demonstration flight, the Calderara Idrovolante managed to lift the pilot and three passengers into the air, a remarkable feat.
Legacy and Contributions to Seaplane Aviation
Mario Calderara’s merits in the development of seaplane aviation were duly recognized. In 1917, he was appointed commander of an aviation school located on the shores of Lake Bolsena, north of Rome, where US Navy pilots were trained.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | Calderara Idrovolante |
| Upper wingspan, m | 18.50 |
| Length, m | 16.50 |
| Wing area, m2 | 70.00 |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 1200 |
| Engine type | 1 Piston engine Gnome |
| Power, hp | 1 x 100 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 80 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 70 |
| Flight endurance, h | 6 |
| Crew, crew | 1 |
| Payload | up to 3 passengers |
Image gallery of the Calderara Idrovolante
