In Box Review of MPM 1/72nd Scale
Czech Aero A-300 Bomber
Kit no. 7201
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION
HISTORY:
The mock-up of the A-300 proposed by Czechoslovak firm Aero was exhibited for the first time at the National Aviation Exhibition in Prague in 1937. On August 3, 1937, the KHO (Ministry of National Defence) asked for building the prototype, which was designed by ing. Ant. Husuik.
It was a two-engined aircraft with glassy front cockpit and upper fuselage gunner's turret, that could be pushed out. Members of the crew were the pilot, bomb-aimer/observer, upper gunner and radio-operator.
The aircraft was to be powered by Bristol Mercury IX /610 kw - 830 k/ license production of which was in preparation by the firm Walter. During building the aircraft, there were problems with petrol and retractable undercarriage pants.
Therefore the prototype was flown with legs fixed in the open position in April 1938. During the tests the aircraft was aerodynamically improved, especially the tailplane part. On August 4, 1938, the prototype of the A-300.1 was turned over t the VTLD (Military Aircraft Establishment).
It was further tested and flown with very good results. The aircraft was more advantageous than the Avia B-71 Bomber, and it was recommended to introduce it a "Bomber B-72".
Unfortunately, this was not realized, because occupation by the Germans advanced. The aircraft was flown later by the Luftwaffe at Letnany and also in Bremen by Focke-Wulf pilots. There its track is lost.
Before the occupation of Czechoslovakia, Greece was seriously interested in the aircraft and also the America Military Attache in Prague asked for materials on the type.
The A-300 was a low-wing monoplane of mixed construction with doubled tailplanes. The wing was wooden construction with two spars and plywood covering. The fuselage had framework made from chromoly main tubes. The front part was covered by metal sheets, the rest by fabric. Tailplanes were made from metal with ailerons fabric covered.
The mock-up of the A-300 proposed by Czechoslovak firm Aero was exhibited for the first time at the National Aviation Exhibition in Prague in 1937. On August 3, 1937, the KHO (Ministry of National Defence) asked for building the prototype, which was designed by ing. Ant. Husuik.
It was a two-engined aircraft with glassy front cockpit and upper fuselage gunner's turret, that could be pushed out. Members of the crew were the pilot, bomb-aimer/observer, upper gunner and radio-operator.
The aircraft was to be powered by Bristol Mercury IX /610 kw - 830 k/ license production of which was in preparation by the firm Walter. During building the aircraft, there were problems with petrol and retractable undercarriage pants.
Therefore the prototype was flown with legs fixed in the open position in April 1938. During the tests the aircraft was aerodynamically improved, especially the tailplane part. On August 4, 1938, the prototype of the A-300.1 was turned over t the VTLD (Military Aircraft Establishment).
It was further tested and flown with very good results. The aircraft was more advantageous than the Avia B-71 Bomber, and it was recommended to introduce it a "Bomber B-72".
Unfortunately, this was not realized, because occupation by the Germans advanced. The aircraft was flown later by the Luftwaffe at Letnany and also in Bremen by Focke-Wulf pilots. There its track is lost.
Before the occupation of Czechoslovakia, Greece was seriously interested in the aircraft and also the America Military Attache in Prague asked for materials on the type.
The A-300 was a low-wing monoplane of mixed construction with doubled tailplanes. The wing was wooden construction with two spars and plywood covering. The fuselage had framework made from chromoly main tubes. The front part was covered by metal sheets, the rest by fabric. Tailplanes were made from metal with ailerons fabric covered.
THE KIT:
MPM is a model company based in Prague, Czech Republic. They manufacture limited-run multi-media type aircraft kits.
The kit comes un-wrapped in a generic white box. The box art is a seperate sheet that is glued to the lid.
The box art shows a A-300 parked on a runway in front of a hangar. It is overall khaki with just Czech roundels for markings. This is how it appeared at Prague-Letnany in 1938.
MPM is a model company based in Prague, Czech Republic. They manufacture limited-run multi-media type aircraft kits.
The kit comes un-wrapped in a generic white box. The box art is a seperate sheet that is glued to the lid.
The box art shows a A-300 parked on a runway in front of a hangar. It is overall khaki with just Czech roundels for markings. This is how it appeared at Prague-Letnany in 1938.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
The kit contains 3 chalk-white vacuformed sheets and a chalk-white injection molded plastic tree of parts. The plastic tree is in a sealed clear cello bag. The clear canopy is pressed onto a bulge on one of the vacuformed sheets.
The 1st chalk-white vacuformed sheet holds: engine nacelles, bulkheads, cockpit floor (11 parts)
The kit contains 3 chalk-white vacuformed sheets and a chalk-white injection molded plastic tree of parts. The plastic tree is in a sealed clear cello bag. The clear canopy is pressed onto a bulge on one of the vacuformed sheets.
The 1st chalk-white vacuformed sheet holds: engine nacelles, bulkheads, cockpit floor (11 parts)
The 2nd chalk-white vacuformed sheet holds wing halves (4 parts)
The 3rd chalk-white vacuformed sheet holds: fuselage halves, elevators, lower center wing section (9 parts)
The chalk-white plastic tree holds: propellers, main wheels, seats, engines, dashboard, landing -gear legs, tailwheel etc. (30 parts)
The clear sheet contains the parts for the fuselage and turret.
The decal sheet completes the kit.
No crew figures are included. Kit has minimal light engraved detail. Flaps are all molded solid.
Recommended.