Aero A.42
Role Bomber
Manufacturer Aero
First flight 1929
Introduction 1930
Retired 1940
Status Prototype
Primary user Czechoslovak Air Force
Number built 2

The Aero A.42 was a Czechoslovakian bomber aircraft of 1929 that was only ever produced in prototype form. For its day, it was an advanced design, with a sleek monoplane configuration. However, the Czechoslovak Air Force was not satisfied with it for a number of reasons. In particular, the aircraft's take-off and landing runs were felt to be excessively long, and crew complained about the cramped cabin. The air force suggested a set of modifications to Aero, including replacing the wooden wing with a metal one, but Aero discontinued development.

On September 20, 1930, one of the two prototypes set international speed records of 253.42 km/h (157.47 mph; 136.84 kn) over a 1,000 km (620 mi) closed circuit, carrying payloads of 500 kilograms (1,100 lb) and 1,000 kg (2,200 lb).[1]

One prototype was used by the Czechoslovak Air Force until 1938, then by the Slovak Air Force. Probably it was scrapped in 1940.[2]

The A.42 was a single-engined high-wing cantilever monoplane with fixed landing gear.

Specifications (A.42)

Aero A.42 3-view drawing from l'Aerophile April 1931

Data from [3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: three, pilot, observer/bombardier, radio operator/gunner
  • Length: 13.80 m (45 ft 3 in)
  • Wingspan: 20.82 m (68 ft 4 in)
  • Height: 3.40 m (11 ft 2 in)
  • Wing area: 59 m2 (640 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 2,940 kg (6,482 lb)
  • Gross weight: 4,740 kg (10,450 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Isotta Fraschini Asso 750 W18 water-cooled piston engine, 600–750 kW (800–1,000 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 270 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 250 km/h (160 mph, 130 kn)
  • Service ceiling: 7,000 m (23,000 ft)
  • Time to altitude: 50 min to 5,000 m (16,000 ft)

Armament

  • Guns:
    • 1 × 7.9 mm machine gun in ventral position
    • 1 × 7.9 mm machine gun in dorsal turret
  • Bombs: 200 kg (441 lb) of small bombs[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Isotta Fraschini Breaking Records". Flight. Vol. XXII, no. 1136. October 10, 1930. p. 1125. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016.
  2. ↑ Aero A.42 at Ugolok Neba site
  3. ↑ Haussmann & Marrand 1972, pp. 8–9.
  4. ↑ L'Aerophile April 1931, p. 118.
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