Aero A.101

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Aero A.101
Type Light bomber
Reconnaissance aircraft
Manufacturer Aero Vodochody
Produced 1930s
Number built 50

The Aero A.101 was a biplane light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft built in Czechoslovakia during the 1930s. It was an attempt to improve the Aero A.100 by enlarging it and fitting it with a more powerful engine. However, even with 33% more power, performance was actually inferior, and the Czech Air Force was not interested in the type. Production did result, however, when 50 were ordered by Spanish Republican forces for use in the Spanish Civil War. These aircraft were captured by Nationalists while en route and used against their original buyers.

Local demand eventually was forthcoming, and a re-engined version was produced as the Ab.101.

[edit] Specifications (A.101)

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 12.09 m (39 ft 8 in)
  • Wingspan: 16.99 m (55 ft 9 in)
  • Height: 3.73 m (12 ft 3 in)
  • Wing area: 58.7 m² (631 ft²)
  • Empty weight: 2,578 kg (5,671 lb)
  • Loaded weight: 4,345 kg (9,559 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1× Praga-built Isotta-Faschini, 738 kW (990 hp)

Performance

Armament

  • Guns:
    • 2× forward-firing 7.92 mm (0.312 in) wz.29 machine guns
    • 2× 7.92 mm Ckm wz.30 machine guns in ring mount for observer
  • Bombs: 500 kg (1,100 lb)

    [edit] Operators

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