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 the 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, Aero discontinued development instead.
On September 20, 1930, one of the two prototypes set international speed records of 253.428 km/h over a 1,000 km (620 mi) closed circuit, carrying payloads of 500 kg (1,100 lb) and 1000 kg (2,200 lb).
One prototype was used by the Czechoslovak Air Force until 1938, and then by the Slovak Air Force.
The A.42 was a single-engine high-wing cantilever monoplane with fixed landing gear.
Specifications
Crew
Three
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 sq ft)
Empty weight
2,940 kg (6,482 lb)
Gross weight
4,740 kg (10,450 lb)
Powerplant
1 × Isotta-Fraschini Asso 750 W-18, water cooled piston engine,
