The Ca.97 was originally designed during the latter half of the 1920s as a high-wing braced trimotor monoplane of conventional configuration with one engine mounted on the nose and the other two carried on strut-mounted nacelles at the fuselage sides.

[1] Caproni extensively studied various metal construction techniques then in use by numerous companies before deciding to pursue two complimentary fabrication principles, these being material homogeneity and initial tensioning.

Tests conducted on both the complete airframe and individual parts demonstrated their possession of a relatively high degree of elasticity, similar to that of wood.

The entirely enclosed fuselage was supported by four longerons along with various crosspieces and uprights composed of steel tubing; rigidity was achieved via the use of adjustable brace wires.

The forward centre section of the fuselage contained eight junctions, composed of high-resistance steel, as attachment points for the wings, undercarriage, and (via struts) the cradles for the lateral engines.

[8] The wing structure was relatively orthodox, comprising two spars and numerous ribs composed of tubular steel and stiffened using brace wires.

A variable incidence stabilizer was present, which could be adjusted by the pilot mid-flight and was rigidly attached to the vertical fin and the lower fuselage longerons via multiple steel wires.

[13] Below the tail unit, the terminal upright of the fuselage was the mounting point for the skid, which was furnished with rubber shock absorbers.

[9] The aircraft was furnished with a relatively wide track undercarriage, the struts of which formed an integral part of the framework of the cell.

[citation needed] Data from Aeroplani Caproni,[17] Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1928[18]General characteristics Performance Armament