A.101

The Aero A.101, built by Aero Vodochody Aerospace in the mid‑1930s, was an evolution of the earlier A.100 series and represented the pinnacle of Czechoslovak biplane design before the transition to monoplanes. First flown in 1935, the A.101 entered limited service with the Czechoslovak Air Force as a light bomber, reconnaissance platform and occasional trainer. The aircraft retained the classic unequal‑span biplane layout but incorporated a more powerful 870 hp Gnome‑Rhône 14K radial engine, giving a top speed of 340 km/h and a service ceiling of 8,500 m. Its mixed wood‑and‑metal construction, enclosed cockpit and provision for up to 500 kg of bombs made it a versatile asset for short‑range tactical missions. Though only about 30 units were produced before the outbreak of World War II, the A.101 demonstrated Aero Vodochody’s ability to integrate advanced powerplants and modernize legacy airframes. The type’s operational record, including night‑time reconnaissance over the Sudetenland, contributed to the development of later monoplane bombers such as the Aero A.300 series and laid groundwork for post‑war aircraft programs, cementing its place as a transitional milestone in Central European aviation history and enduring legacy.

AERO Vodochody Aerospace

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