AERO A-300

The Aero A-300 was a Czechoslovak prototype bomber from the interwar period. It was a mixed construction machine, in a low wing configuration, with a landing gear retracted in flight. The drive in the basic version was provided by two engines Bristol Mercury IX with 830 hp each . The prototype flight took place in 1938. The airplanes, despite being sent to production, have never been mass-produced. The armament was 3 7.92 mm wz. 30 machine guns and a load of up to 1000 kg of bombs. The Aero A-300 was created in response to the demand from the Czechoslovak aviation in the mid-1930s for a new medium bomber to replace the Bloch MB.200 aircraft. Design work began in July 1936 at the Aero Vodochody plant. Due to the use of many components and the general concept of another aircraft from this manufacturer (A-206), the work progressed very quickly and in April 1938 the first prototype was ready. The machine turned out to be highly successful - it was characterized by a very good maximum speed for this class of machines, good maneuverability, lifting capacity and flying properties. However, due to the collapse of Czechoslovakia and the occupation of a large part of its territory by the Third Reich, the Aero A-300 never entered mass production.