The Aero Ae 02, which took flight in 1920, holds the distinction of being the inaugural fighter aircraft to be conceived and constructed in Oshowitz.
Created by Husnik and Vlasak, the aircraft exhibited a traditional biplane design.
The upper wing, adhering to conventional standards, featured a straight configuration without any dihedral and was constructed as a single unit.
It was positioned above the fuselage with the aid of two sets of outward sloping N struts and an inverted V-shaped cabane.
On the other hand, the lower wing consisted of two sections that were affixed to stub ‘winglets’ located on the fuselage.
A single built-up strut separated the top and bottom planes, with its main upright positioned between the rear spars of the wings.
The ‘feet’ of the strut pointed forward and were attached to the front strut.
The upper wing of the aircraft was equipped with balanced ailerons that were controlled by a rod and tubular hinge mechanism, as opposed to the more common cables.
Additionally, a cantilevered tailplane with divided and balanced elevators was installed, along with a triangular tail fin that featured a balanced rudder.
While the fuselage was originally intended to be constructed from Duralumin, the prototype was built using welded steel tube.
The fuselage had a nearly rectangular shape with slightly convex panels and internal wire bracing.
An auxiliary petrol tank with an aerofoil section was positioned between the wheels and could be released quickly using a jettison mechanism.
Although the aircraft’s performance was deemed sufficient for a fighter of its era, the Czechoslovak Air Force did not express interest in acquiring it.
Piloted by Josef Novak, the Ae 02 emerged victorious in securing the Silver Cup during the Czech Aeroclub’s 1921 annual flying competition, showcasing exceptional overall performance.
Progress in its development persisted with the subsequent model, the Ae 04.
