In late 30´, Czechoslovakia decided to modernise its air force bomber. One of the most promising types was A-300. Construction of this aircraft was based on civilian liner A-204. Even though the result was good. A-300 was faster than other Czechoslovakian aircrafts (except of modern fighter Avia B-35). Other advantages were: easy manoeuvrability, good flight characteristics and manufacturing unambitious. A-300 had two retractable gun turrets (dorsal and ventral - the ventral was similar like Pe-2´s). The plane also had its negative side. The prototype had problems with mechanism of rectabling main gear. Very good performance bought up absented armour and weak defending armament. The type should be interested in the Greek air force. All but stopped after occupation in 1939.
General characteristicsProducer: Aero, továrna letadel, dr. Kabeš, Praha-Vyso?any in 1938
Number of Produced: 1
Crew: 4
Empty Weight: 4 337 kg (9 561 lb)
Take-off Weight: 6 040 kg (13 316 lb)
Wingspan: 19,05 m (62ft 6in)
Length: 13,50 m (44ft 3,5in)
Height: 3,80 m (12ft 5,61in)
Wing Area: 45,50 m2 (489.76 sq ft)
Wing Loading: 133 kg/m2 (27.24 lb/ft2)
Number of Engines: 2
Type of Engine: Bristol Mercury IX, power 610kW/820 hp
Propellers: three-blade two-pitch de Haviland-Hamilton propeller
Fuel Tank Capacity: 926 l (203.7 Imp gal / 244.6 US gal)
1 324 l 291.3 Imp gal / 349.8 US gal in auxiliary tanks
Maximum Speed: 456 km/h (283.3 mph) in 5 960 m (19 554 ft)
Cruise Speed: 430 km/h (267.2 mph) in 5960 m (19 554 ft)
Climb Rate: 9,5 m/s (31,168 ft/s)
Time to Climb to: 6 000 m (19 685 ft) in 11,58 minutes
Service Ceiling: 9 400 m (30 840 ft)
Range: 611 km (379.7 mi)
Maximum Range: 2 200 km (1 367 mi)
Armament: 1x 7,92 mm flexible vz.30 machine gun in the nose, 300 rounds
1x 7,92 mm vz.30 machine gun in the retractable upper turret, 400 rounds
1x 7,92 mm flexible vz.30 machine gun under the fuselage, 400 rounds
1 000 kg (2 200 lb) of bombs internaly
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Topic: Aero A-300 (Read 7217 times)
