The Avia B.158, a prototype Czechoslovak twin-engined light bomber aircraft from the 1930s, saw only one unit constructed before being abandoned due to the German occupation of Czechoslovakia in March 1939.
Developed by Avia in 1935, the B.58 design featured a small twin-engined bomber with a fixed undercarriage, utilizing two 313 kW (420 hp) Avia Rk.17 radial engines.
In 1936, this particular design was discarded and substituted with a more sophisticated and potent variant known as the Avia B.158.
The Avia B.158 was specifically crafted to fulfill the demands set forth by the Czechoslovak Ministry of National Defence (MNO) for a high-performance medium bomber that could operate effectively both day and night.
This new design was intended to rival Aero Vodochody’s A.300.
Avia commenced the construction of a sole prototype of the B.158 in 1937.
This aircraft was a three-seat low-wing monoplane featuring inverted gull-wings, a retractable tail wheel undercarriage, and 634 kW (850 hp) Avia (Hispano-Suiza) 12Ydrs engines.
The maiden flight of the B-158 took place in the middle of 1938.
Additionally, a twin tail was installed on the aircraft to enhance the field of fire for the dorsal gun position.
Although the Aero A.300 showed better performance, production had not begun by the time Germany conquered Czechoslovakia.
The prototype B-158 was scrapped in 1940 after testing by the Luftwaffe at Rechlin.
