WesWorld

In mid-1947 a Peruvian delegation approached the Czechoslovak firm Avia Akciova Spolecnost Pro Prumysl Letecky with a request to acquire a quantity of Av-42 fighter aircraft, a design only then being developed for the Czechoslovak Air Force. The Peruvians requested several changes – chief of which was the installation of the Italian Fiat A.38 RC.12/40/58 engine in place of the Avia-Minerva Paladin IIIES that powered the original design; though marginally heavier the Italian engine offered more horsepower and offered commonality with other aircraft already in Peruvian service. Minor changes in the design’s armament were also requested. A prototype of the modified aircraft was flown in December 1947, swiftly followed by an order from Peru for 100 aircraft. Deliveries from the Prague-Letňany works commenced in June 1948. In Peruvian service it was awarded the sobriquet ‘Tunqui’.

Crew: 1

Engine: One Fiat A.38 RC.12/40/58 inline liquid cooled engine rated at 1,780 CV (combat rating)
Wingspan: 10.36 meters
Length: 8.94 meters
Height: 2.59 meters
Wing area: 23.32 square meters
Empty weight: 3,284 kg
Maximum weight: 4,092 kg
Speed: 710 kph at 5,800 meters
Service ceiling: 11,430 meters
Rate of climb: 16 meters/second
Range: 1,100 km

Armament:

One 23mm Madsen cannon in the nose with 200 rounds, two 13.2mm Breda SAFAT machineguns in the upper fuselage decking with 220 rounds per gun, and One 23mm Madsen cannon in each wing with 200 rounds per gun. Can be fitted with underwing racks for four rockets or four 50 kg bombs.