Hispano Aviación
E-30
The Hispano‑Aviación E‑30 was a Spanish two‑seat advanced trainer that first flew in 1947 and entered service with the Spanish Air Force in 1949. Developed by the former Iberia‑derived Hispano Aviación company, the E‑30 was designed to replace aging pre‑war trainers and to provide pilots with experience on a low‑wing, all‑metal monoplane that approximated the handling of frontline fighters. Powered by a 750‑horsepower Hispano‑Suites HS‑125V engine, the aircraft featured retractable main gear, an enclosed cockpit with dual controls, and a clean aerodynamic profile with rounded wingtips and a dorsal fin. Its robust construction allowed aerobatic maneuvers, spin recovery training, and basic weapons‑delivery drills using underwing hardpoints for light bombs or rockets. Over 200 units were produced, serving not only in Spain but also being exported to several Latin‑American air forces, where they helped standardize pilot training programs. The E‑30’s reliability and forgiving flight characteristics made it a cornerstone of post‑war Spanish aviation, bridging the gap between piston‑engine trainers and the jet age, and cementing Hispano Aviación’s reputation for quality military aircraft. Today, a handful of restored E‑30s can be seen at airshows, reminding enthusiasts of Spain’s mid‑century aerospace ambition.
