- Yes
- No
History: The ANBO 41 is a reconnaissance plane made by Lithuania before WW2 as an upgrade to the ANBO IV. The main improvement was using a Pegasus XI engine and three blade propellers instead of 2.
The design of the ANBO IV was supervised by Colonel Antanas Gustaitis. In 1932 July 14th the prototype of the ANBO IV equipped with a wasp engine had conducted a successful test flight. The ANBO IV then had 13 more aircraft made, this time with Bristol Pegasus II engines.
In early 1937, the ANBO 41 had entered service and continued production until 1939. The ANBO IV and ANBO 41 both served in thier respective reconnaissance squadrons. Overall around 14 ANBO IVs (including a prototype) and 20 ANBO 41s were made.
The ANBO 41s were built in two batches. The first would be initial trialed in January 1937 by Lt. Col. L. Peseckas with plane being No.671. After a successful flight reaching an altitude of 5km in 8 minutes and 15 seconds, No. 672, 673, 674, 675, 676, 677 were all built by the beginning of May and by June of that year then last two aircraft of the batch (678 and 679) had their own construction and entered service. By this time, a test flight by No.672 achieved the 5km altitude in just 7 minutes and 20 seconds.
The second batch of ANBO 41s came in two waves (first numbers 890 to 894 then numbers 895 to 899) were made in 1939 April and May respectively, outfitted with Bristol Pegasus XXIII instead of the first batches XI engines. Performance was quite similar with a slower top speed of 340km/h + a worse climb rate as it took number 890 (who equipped one less reconnaissance machine gun) 8 minutes to reach 5km altitude Vs the first batches 7 minutes 20 seconds.
2 aircraft had crashed though these would be blamed on the pilots “hooliganism”.
German captured ANBO 41 (mark-up used to hide swastika)
When the Soviet Union annexed Lithuania, the ANBO IVs and 41s were absorbed into the inventory of the soviet armed forces. Germany managed to capture 1 ANBO 41 and was seemingly used for training and liaison. It is unknown if the soviets used the planes or if they just scrapped them without use.
Specifications:
Armament: 2x 7.7mm Browning machine gun, 2x 7.7mm Browning machine gun turret and 200kg bomb load
Crew: 2 (Pilot and gunner)
Max speed: 360kmh
Engine: Bristol Pegasus XI (907hp)
Length: 8.8m
Wingspan: 13.2m
Height: 3.3m
Empty weight:1,600kg
Sources:
Monografie: ANBO-IV, ANBO-41: Část IV". Letectví + Kosmonautika.
https://archyvas.xxiamzius.lt/archyvas/xxiamzius/20030409/istving_01.html
https://www.destinationsjourney.com/historical-military-photographs/anbo-41-lithuanian-reconnaissance-aircraft/