Astra-Protopopescu
Astra · Romania · first flew 1925 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Astra-Protopopescu, or Astra-Proto, was a Romanian reconnaissance aircraft flown and tested in 1925.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.2 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-bay staggered biplane with constant-chord wings and rounded tips
- Hispano-Suiza 8F V-8 with the radiator in the nose
- Cut-outs in the upper and lower trailing edges for the pilot's view
The lower wing is a little shorter and smaller, with 47 per cent of the total area, and only the upper wing carries ailerons. The tail surfaces are conventional, with a continuously curved fin and rudder.
Specifications
- The Astra-Protopopescu has a length of 7.2 m (24 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.6 m (35 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 205 km/h (127 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was designed by Lieutenant-Colonel Stefan Protopopescu and built by the Astra Aircraft Factory at Arad. It was an all-wood biplane powered by a 300 hp Hispano-Suiza 8F.
Variants
Only one was built, so there were no variants.
Where you'll see it
It was flown and tested in 1925. The observer carried cameras and a radio, and three machine guns could be mounted.
Related aircraft
- Aichi Experimental Type 15-Ko Reconnaissance Seaplane
- Albatros L 65
- Ansaldo A.120
- Armstrong Whitworth Atlas
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