Arsenalul Aeronautic. Arsenalul Aeronautic ("Aeronautical Arsenal" in English) in Bucharest was the first factory with an aeronautical profile in Romania. Its activity took place between 1919 and 1939. Arsenalul Aeronautic manufactured three models of aircraft: Hansa-Brandenburg C.I, Proto 1 and Aeron and modified De Havilland aircraft for passenger and freight transport (aircraft intended for domestic airlines). Also, at the Aeronautical Arsenal, research in the field of study and testing of materials was organized.

History

In November 1919, an aeronautical factory was created in Bucharest on the field of Cotroceni, as a result of the transfer of the material and the majority of the personnel of the Rezerva generală a aviației (General Aviation Reserve or RGA) from Iași. On 1 July 1920, the factory was renamed to the Aeronautical Arsenal. In the beginning, the activity was to repair different types of airplanes and aircraft engines from the endowment of the Romanian military aviation, but after only two years the factory started to build airplanes. The activities specific to the aeronautical industry (repairs, design, manufacture and research) lasted until June 1939, when Arsenalul Aeronautic became part of the Administration of aeronautical and naval establishments.

Manufactured aircraft

Hansa-Brandenburg C.I

Hansa-Brandenburg C.I was the first mass-produced aircraft at the Aeronautical Arsenal, starting in 1922. Between 1922 and 1923, 120 aircraft were built. It was a two-seater reconnaissance and observation aircraft and was equipped with the Austro-Daimler 160 hp engine. Until 8 May 1922, 10 units were built, on the fuselage of which was written "Construit în România" ("Made in Romania"). 72 aircraft were built and delivered by the end of 1922.

Proto 1
Proto 1 was produced at the Aeronautical Arsenal two years after its establishment, in 1922. It was a biplane used as a school and training aircraft, designed by Major Ștefan Protopopescu in collaboration with engineers Dumitru Baziliu and Gheorghe Ticău. The first experimental flights were performed by Protopopescu himself. The qualities of the aircraft led the Ministry of War to order a series of 25 aircraft of this type from the Fabrica de avioane Astra in Arad. After the accident of Ioan Sava Câmpineanu in 1924, production of Proto 1 aircraft was stopped, the airplanes were improved and delivered by the Fabrica de avioane Astra under the name of Proto 2.

Aeron
Aeron was a sesquiplane built in 1934, in two variants. The first prototype had a Cirrus 105 hp engine, while the second had a Salmson 120 hp engine. The airplane was designed and built by Lieutenant-Commander Petre Macavei, Captain Cristea Constantinescu, Captain Constantin Istrate and Lieutenant Simion Stănculescu. The novelty brought by this model was that the uneven wings were placed with the lower plane offset from the upper one, there were no struts between the wings.

The Aeron was also flown by French pilot Lepreux, who was greatly satisfied with the behavior of the airplane. Despite its promising features, the aircraft was not mass-produced.

Specifications (Salmson engine prototype)

Other projects

De Havilland modified
The Aeronautical Arsenal also undertook a project to modify the fuselage of De Havilland bombers in order to convert them into aircraft for the transport of passengers or for the transport of goods. These modified De Havilland aircraft were intended for domestic airlines established in Romania. A total of 10 De Havillands were modified, with 6 at the Aeronautical Arsenal and 4 at SET.

Research
The first laboratory in Romania for the study and testing of materials was set up at the Aeronautical Arsenal. This laboratory was run by Captain Ion Gudju.

In 1923, the installation and the process of manufacturing Emaillite, a varnish used for covering the canvas of airplanes, were designed by engineer Gheorghe Ionescu.

Repairs
The Aeronautical Arsenal also repaired various aircraft (captured Fokker D.VIIs and Hansa-Brandenburg C.Is, Potez XVs, SPAD XIIIs, etc.) and engines (Austro-Daimler, Hispano-Suiza, Renault etc.).

See also

 Aviation in Romania
 Industria Aeronautică Română
 Fabrica de avioane Astra
 Romaero - former ASAM

References

Aerospace companies of Romania
Aircraft manufacturers of Romania
Romanian brands
Defence companies of Romania