The Aero 45 was a twin piston-engined civil utility aircraft produced in Czechoslovakia after World War II. It was the first product of the nation's post-war aviation industry and proved a great success, with many of the 800 produced exported. Hungary was a major customer, where the aircraft was known as the Kócsag (Hungarian: "Egret"). The aircraft first flew on July 21 1947 and was built until 1963. Aero Vodochody (commonly referred to as Aero, Vodochody is location) is a Czech (and Czechoslovak) aircraft company notable for producing the L-29 Delfin, L-39 Albatros and the L-159 Alca. ... Combatants Allied Powers Axis Powers Commanders {{{commander1}}} {{{commander2}}} Strength {{{strength1}}} {{{strength2}}} Casualties 17 million military deaths 7 million military deaths World War II, also known as the Second World War (sometimes WW2 or WWII), was a mid-20th century conflict that engulfed much of the globe and is accepted as... Genera Egretta Ardea An egret is any of several herons, most of which are white or buff, and several of which develop fine plumes during the breeding season. ... July 21 is the 202nd day (203rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 163 days remaining. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1947: Events March March 14 - Saudi Arabian Airlines begins regular services. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1963: Events January January 7 - Aeroflot commences direct services between Moscow and Havana February February 14 - the Indian Air Force receives its first batch of Soviet fighters, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21s March March 18 - the Dassault Balzac makes its first transitions...

The model number of "45" was not a continuation of Aero's pre-war numeration scheme, but a reference to the 4/5 seats in the aircraft.

Description

The Aero 45 had a sleek, teardrop-shaped fuselage, with a rounded, extensively-glazed nose affording excellent visibility. It had a low wing on which the engine nacelles were mounted, and a conventional tail. The main undercarriage was retractable but the tailwheel was fixed.

Variants

• Aero 45
• Aero 45S "Super Aero"
• Aero 145 - engines changed to supercharged Avia M332s. This version was also licence-built by Let.

Specifications (Super Aero 45)

General characteristics

• Crew: one pilot
• Capacity: 3-4 passengers
• Length: 7.54 m (24 ft 9 in)
• Wingspan: 14.20 m (46 ft 7 in)
• Height: 2.30 m (7 ft 7 in)
• Wing area: 17.09 m² (184 ft²)
• Empty: 960 kg (2,112 lb)
• Loaded: 1,510 kg (3,322 lb)
• Maximum takeoff: 1,600 kg (3,527 lb)
• Powerplant: 2x Walter Minor 4-III, 60 kW (80 hp) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 270 km/h (168 mph)
• Range: 1,600 km (1,000 miles)
• Service ceiling: 1,350 m (4,429 ft)
• Rate of climb: 300 m/min (984 ft/min)
• Wing loading: 88 kg/m² (18 lb/ft²)
• Power/Mass: 0.08 kW/kg (0.05 hp/lb)

Military operators

• Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary,

Related content

Related development:

Comparable aircraft:

Designation sequence: