ANBO IV

The ANBO IV was the unique home-designed military combat aircraft in use by the Lithuanian Air Force in World War II, designed by Lithuanian aircraft designer Antanas Gustaitis.

Development
ANBO IV aircraft was developed from the training aircraft ANBO III. The design was supervised by colonel Antanas Gustaitis. First flight took place on July 14, 1932 and the prototype was powered by a Wasp engine. Ater successful trials serial production began. Thirteen serial built aircraft was powered by British Bristol Pegasus engines and were manufactured by Lithuanian Aircraft State Factory. It could be armed with two pairs of light machine guns and could carry 200 kg of bombs.

Operational history
ANBO IVs were introduced into Lithuanian Air Force in 1934 and shortly before that few aircraft made demonstration flights in few European countries: Soviet Union, France, United Kingdom and most Scandinavian countries. Between June 25 and July 29, 1934 three aircraft commanded by colonel Gustaitis flew 10,000 km route.

ANBO IV and ANBO 41 aircraft equipped respectively one and two reconnaissance squadrons in Lithuanian Air Force, at the time of Soviet Occupation of Baltic Republics in the summer of 1940.

A photo exists showing that least one Anbo IV or Anbo 41 survived this period and was operated by the Luftwaffe during the German occupation.

Variants

 * ANBO IV
 * Designation of prototype and 13 serial-built aircraft used for night and day reconnaissance.


 * ANBO 41
 * Second production version with more powerful engine and three blade wooden propeller. It was then the only aircraft in Europe to employ a wooden three blade propeller.

Operators

 * 🇱🇹 Lithuania
 * Lithuanian Air Force
 * Soviet Air Force incorporated Lithuanian units with equipment and personnel.
 * Soviet Air Force incorporated Lithuanian units with equipment and personnel.