Aero A.102

Last updated
Aero A.102
Aero A-102.jpg
Role Fighter aircraft
Manufacturer Aero Vodochody
First flight1934
Introductionn/a
Primary user Czech Air Force

The Aero A.102 was a Czechoslovakian fighter aircraft that flew in prototype form in 1934. It was developed in response to a Czech Air Force requirement of that year, but was passed over in favour of the Avia B.35.

Czechoslovakia 1918–1992 country in Central Europe, predecessor of the Czech Republic and Slovakia

Czechoslovakia, or Czecho-Slovakia, was a sovereign state in Central Europe that existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until its peaceful dissolution into the Czech Republic and Slovakia on 1 January 1993.

Fighter aircraft Military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat against other aircraft

A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat against other aircraft, as opposed to bombers and attack aircraft, whose main mission is to attack ground targets. The hallmarks of a fighter are its speed, maneuverability, and small size relative to other combat aircraft.

This is a list of aviation-related events from 1934:

Contents

The A.102 was of gull winged monoplane configuration with tailwheel undercarriage, and was perhaps inspired by the successful PZL P.11.

Gull wing Aircraft wing configuration with bend at root

The gull wing is an aircraft wing configuration with a prominent bend in the wing inner section towards the wing root. Its name is derived from the seabirds which it resembles. It has been incorporated in aircraft for many reasons.

Monoplane fixed-wing aircraft with a single main wing plane

A monoplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with a single main wing plane, in contrast to a biplane or other multiplane, each of which has multiple planes.

Landing gear aircraft part which supports the aircraft while not in the air

Landing gear is the undercarriage of an aircraft or spacecraft and may be used for either takeoff or landing. For aircraft it is generally both. It was also formerly called alighting gear by some manufacturers, such as the Glenn L. Martin Company.

Specifications (A.102)

Data from The Complete Book of Fighters [1]

General characteristics

Radial engine reciprocating engine with cylinders arranged radially from a single crankshaft

The radial engine is a reciprocating type internal combustion engine configuration in which the cylinders "radiate" outward from a central crankcase like the spokes of a wheel. It resembles a stylized star when viewed from the front, and is called a "star engine" in some languages. The radial configuration was commonly used for aircraft engines before gas turbine engines became predominant.

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 434 km/h (270 mph; 234 kn)
  • Range: 670 km (416 mi; 362 nmi)
  • Time to altitude: 5.8 min to 5,000 m (16,405 ft)

Armament

ZB vz. 30 7.9 mm machine gun

The ZB-30 and ZB-30J were Czechoslovakian light machine guns that saw extensive use during World War II.

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

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References

Notes
  1. Green and Swanborough 1994, pp. 10–11.
Bibliography
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