- Yes
- No
(This post is pretty much the same as the second batch suggestion but this is for the one aircraft that took only one rear machine gun instead of the usual 2, something that differs it from all the other suggested ANBO IV/41s)
History: The ANBO 41 is a reconisence 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 reconisence squadrons. Overall around 14 ANBO IVs (including a prototype) and 20 ANBO 41s were made.
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.
Number 890 was the first of its batch and was tested to see how it preformed. Performance was quite similar with a slower top speed of 340km/h at 2km altitude + 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. Regardless the second batch of planes continued and saw service.
Specifications:
Armament: 2x 7.7mm Browning machine gun, 1x 7.7mm Browning machine gun turret and 200kg bomb load
Crew: 2 (Pilot and gunner)
Max speed: 340kmh at 2km altitude
Engine: Bristol Pegasus XXIII (1010hp)
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
