| Aero A.42 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Bomber |
| Manufacturer | Aero |
| Status | Prototype |
| Primary user | Czechoslovak Air Force |
| Number built | 2 |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1930 |
| First flight | 1929 |
| Retired | 1940 |
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.
- ^ "Isotta Fraschini Breaking Records". Flight. Vol. XXII, no. 1136. October 10, 1930. p. 1125. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016.
- ^ Aero A.42 at Ugolok Neba site