Aero A.42

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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 Czech Air Force was not satisfied with it for a number of reasons, in particular, the aircraft's take-off and landing rolls 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 over a 1,000 km (621 mile) closed circuit, carrying payloads of 500 kg (1,100 lb) and 1000 kg (2,200 lb).

[edit] Specifications (A.42)

General characteristics

• Crew: three, pilot, observer/bombardier, radio operator/gunner
• Length: 13.8 m (45 ft 3 in)
• Wingspan: 20.8 m (68 ft 3 in)
• Height: 3.4 m (11 ft 2 in)
• Wing area: 54 m² (580 ft²)
• Empty weight: 2,940 kg (6,480 lb) ()
• Loaded weight: 4,740 kg (10,450 lb) ()
• Powerplant: 1× Isotta-Fraschini Asso , 597 kW (800 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 270 km/h (170 mph)
• Service ceiling: 7,000 m (23,000 ft)
• Rate of climb: 100 m/min (330 ft/min)
• Wing loading: 88 kg/m² (18 lb/ft²)
• Power/mass: 0.08 kW/kg (0.08 hp/lb)

Armament

• 1 × 7.9 mm machine gun in ventral position
• 1 × 7.9 mm machine gun in dorsal turret

[edit] Related content

Designation sequence

A.34 - A.35 - A.38 - A.42 - A.46 - A.100 - A.101