Aero A.102

The Czechoslovakian fighter aircraft, known as the Aero A.102, took flight as a prototype in 1934.

It was designed in response to the Czech Air Force’s demand in that particular year.

However, it was ultimately overlooked in favour of the Avia B.35.

Featuring a gull-winged monoplane structure and a tailwheel undercarriage, the A.102 may have drawn inspiration from the accomplished PZL P.11.

Specifications

Crew

1

Length

7.30 m (23 ft 11 in)

Wingspan

11.50 m (37 ft 9 in)

Wing area

8.50 m2 (199.1 sq ft)

Empty weight

1,478 kg (3,258 lb)

Gross weight

2,036 kg (4,489 lb)

Powerplant

1 × Walter built Gnome-Rhône 14Kfs Mistral Major, radial engine,

600 kW (800 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed

434 km/h (270 mph, 234 kn)

Range

670 km (420 mi, 360 nmi)

Time to altitude

5.8 min to 5,000 m (16,405 ft)

Armament

Guns

4 × 7.92 mm (0.312 in) ZB vz. 30 machine guns

Sources

Czechoslovakian Air Force, 1918-1970, Aircam Aviation Special 05-Richard Ward, Zdenek Titz & Gordon C. Davies.

Ceskoslovenské Letectvo, 1918-1924-Jiří Rajlich & Jiří Sehnal.