J.Davilla, A.Soltan French Aircraft of the First World War (Flying Machines)

Astra Bomber

  The Astra firm produced a heavy bomber which, it was hoped, would meet the requirements of the 1916 concours puissant. Little is known about this plane and it does not seem that any photographs of it have survived. It is known that the Astra bomber was powered by three 220-hp Renault engines. Its configuration was much like the Caproni bomber, with a twin fuselage and an abbreviated central fuselage. A pair of wheels was located under all three fuselage sections. There was a machine-gun position in the nose and one on each boom.
  The Astra bomber did not meet the specifications of the concours and was not selected for production. It appears that further development of the type was abandoned.
  The Astra firm continued to produce aircraft under license during the First World War and in 1921 merged with Nieuport to become Nieuport-Astra.


Astra Heavy Bomber with Three 220-hp Renault Engines
   Span: 25.5m; length 14.2 m; wing area 140 sq. m
   Empty weight 2/300 kg; loaded weight 3/500 kg
   Maximum speed: 125 km/h; ceiling 3,800 m; climb to 2,000 m in 24 minutes
   One built