Aero A.100

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Aero A.100
Aircraft Aero A-100.jpg
Role Light bomber
Reconnaissance aircraft
National origin Czechoslovakia
Manufacturer Aero Vodochody
First flight1933 [1]
Retiredlate 1940s
Primary user Czechoslovakian Air Force [1]
Produced1933-1935 [1]
Number built44 [1]

The Aero A.100 was a biplane light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft built in Czechoslovakia during the 1930s. It was the final step in a design lineage that extended back to the Aero A.11 a decade earlier. A.100s remained in service throughout World War II and for a few years postwar.

Contents

Design and development

Development of the A.100 was in response to a Czechoslovak Air Force requirement of 1932 for a uniform replacement for the A.11s, Aero Ap.32s, and Letov Š.16s then in service. Work began with a revision of the Aero A.430 that quickly became quite a different aircraft. [1] Of standard biplane configuration, the A.100 was a somewhat ungainly-looking aircraft which was obsolescent by the time of its first flight in 1933, becoming a member of the final generation of biplane military aircraft to be designed in Europe.

Operational history

Nevertheless, since the only other competitor for the air force contract, the Praga E.36, had not flown by the close of tenders, the A.100 was ordered for production. A total of 44 were built, in two batches. [2]

Further development

The Aero A.100 was later developed into Aero A.101 with Praga Isotta Fraschini Asso 1000 RV engine (800 h.p.), [3] first flying in December 1934, this type served in the Spanish Civil War curiously on both sides of the conflict. Further development led to Aero Ab.101 (enlarged hull and wings plus Avia Hispano Suiza HS 12 Ydrs engine rated 860 h.p. [3] ) produced from 1936 to 1937 and serving in the Czechoslovak Air Force up to its dissolution in March 1939. Final stage of the development was Aero A.104, where Ab.101 was converted to a high-wing monoplane with enclosed cockpit, only one prototype was built in 1937.

Specifications (A.100)

Data from [2]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

Operators

Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czechoslovakia
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Germany
Flag of Slovakia (1939-1945).svg  Slovakia

See also

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References

Notes
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Taylor 1989.
  2. 1 2 Sharpe 2000, p. 17.
  3. 1 2 Fídler, Sluka. Encyklopedie branné moci Republiky Československé.
  4. Taylor and Alexander 1969.
  5. Ketley and Rolfe 1996, p. 11.
Bibliography