Engineering:Avia BH-3

Avia BH-3 (B3)
Avia BH-3 racing version
Role	Fighter
Manufacturer	Avia
Designer	Pavel Beneš and Miroslav Hajn
First flight	1921
Introduction	1923
Retired	1927
Primary user	Czech Air Force
Number built	14

The Avia BH-3 was a fighter plane built in Czechoslovakia in 1921. Conceptually a descendant of the BH-1 sports plane, it was a braced, low-wing monoplane of conventional configuration and tailskid undercarriage. Following favourable trials in June 1921, ten examples were ordered by the Czech Air Force . These were delivered in 1923 under the military designation B.3. The type proved temperamental in service and was soon relegated to training duties, where it served until 1927.

Avia BH-3 montage

Units using this aircraft

• 1st Airborne Regiment, Czech Air Force

Specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: one pilot
• Length: 7.00 m (23 ft 0 in)
• Wingspan: 10.20 m (33 ft 5 in)
• Height: 3.10 m (10 ft 2 in)
• Wing area: 15.8 m² (170 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 778 kg (1,715 lb)
• Gross weight: 1,025 kg (2,260 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × BMW IIIa inline , 138 kW (185 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 225 km/h (140 mph, 121 kn) at sealevel; 240 km/h (150 mph; 130 kn) at 2,000 m (6,600 ft)
• Range: 500 km (300 mi, 260 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 7,800 m (25,600 ft)
• Rate of climb: 7.9 m/s (1,560 ft/min)

Armament

• 2 × fixed, forward-firing .303 Vickers machine guns

See also

Related development

• BH-1

Related lists

• List of Interwar military aircraft

References

• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. pp. 86. 
• World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing. pp. File 889 Sheet 86. 
• airwar.ru