Aero A.104

Aero Vodochody · Czechoslovakia · first flew 1937 · bomber

The Aero A.104 was a Czechoslovak two-seat parasol-monoplane light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft developed in the late 1930s, powered by a licence-built Hispano-Suiza V-12 engine. Only two prototypes were completed before the German occupation ended the programme.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	Parasol high-wing monoplane on struts above fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Parasol high-wing monoplane on struts above fuselage
Single liquid-cooled V-12 engine in long nose
Fixed spatted undercarriage

Identified by its parasol wing sitting on struts well above the fuselage, a long V-12 engine cowl, and fixed undercarriage with wheel fairings. The high wing and slender fuselage give it a distinctive silhouette.

Specifications

The Aero A.104 has a length of 10.8 m (35 ft).
It has a wingspan of 15.5 m (51 ft).
Its maximum speed is 330 km/h (205 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Designed by Aero in Prague as a replacement for older biplane types in Czech Air Force service, the A.104 first flew in 1937 and demonstrated adequate performance for its era. The political crisis of 1938 and subsequent occupation in March 1939 prevented any production orders from being placed. The type represents the last generation of Czech indigenous military aircraft designs before the war.

Variants

Two prototypes only; no production variants.

Where you'll see it

Not delivered to any operator; programme cancelled following the German occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1939.

Related aircraft

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