Aero A.304
AERO Vodochody Aerospace · Czechoslovakia · first flew 1937 · airliner
The Aero A.304 was a twin-engine low-wing monoplane airliner built by Aero in Czechoslovakia in the late 1930s, representing the company's move into modern all-metal monoplane construction. It was capable of carrying a small number of passengers at speeds competitive with contemporary European airliners.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Retractable undercarriage and smooth all-metal fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-engine Czechoslovak low-wing monoplane airliner, 1937
- Retractable undercarriage and smooth all-metal fuselage
- Carried up to eight passengers on European routes
Clean twin-engine low-wing monoplane with retractable undercarriage, oval fuselage cross-section, and engine nacelles neatly faired into the straight wing leading edge; resembles contemporary European designs such as the Heinkel He 111V civil prototype.
Specifications
- The Aero A.304 has a length of 13.21 m (43 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 19.2 m (63 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 322 km/h (200 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed as a successor to earlier biplane transports, the A.304 first flew in 1937 and reflected international trends toward stressed-skin monoplane construction. The onset of World War II curtailed its commercial career, and production numbers remained modest before the German occupation terminated the programme.
Variants
A military reconnaissance and bomber derivative was developed in parallel as the Aero A.300.
Where you'll see it
Operated briefly on Czechoslovak domestic and international routes before the German occupation in March 1939 disrupted civil aviation in the country.
Related aircraft
- Aero A.300
- Aero A.34 Kos
- Aero A.42
- Aero A.35
- Junkers Ju 90
- Bloch MB.220
- Boeing 307 Stratoliner
- Boeing 314 Clipper
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