Avia B-34

The Avia B-34 was a biplane fighter aircraft built in Czechoslovakia in the early 1930s.

It was the first design of František Novotný for the Avia company and although built only in small numbers, it paved the way for the Avia B-534.

The twelve production B-34s entered service with the 37 Stíhací Letka of the Czechoslovakian Air Force in September 1934.

They were retired to training duties in 1937.

Despite inferior overall performance and some unpopularity, the aircraft was robust.

Until the end of the First Czechoslovak Republic in March 1939.

Eight of the B-34s were handed over to the German Luftwaffe when the Czechoslovakian state ceased to exist in March 1939.

At least three were soon lost in crashes and it is likely that the others were retired from use rather than being used for training purposes.

The remaining three B-34s were retained by the new Slovakian Air Force.

One, perhaps two of these were still being used for training at Tri Duby airfield in August 1944.

Variants

B-34.1

First prototype, flew Feb 1932

B-34.2

Second prototype, re-designated B-234 with Avia Rr 29 engine, then again as B-34.2 with Hispano-Suiza 12Ybrs engine, re-designated Avia B-534.1.

B-34.3 – B-34.14

Production aircraft

Specifications

Crew

One 

Length

7.25 m (23 ft 9 in)

Wingspan

9.40 m (30 ft 10 in)

Wing area

23.9 m2 (257 sq ft)

Empty weight

1,305 kg (2,877 lb)

Gross weight

1,730 kg (3,814 lb)

Powerplant

1 × liquid cooled Avia Vr 36 (Hispano-Siuza HS-12Nbr) engine ,

552 kW (740 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed

315 km/h (196 mph, 170 kn)

Range

600 km (370 mi, 320 nmi)

Service ceiling

7,000 m (23,000 ft)

Rate of climb

3.7 m/s (720 ft/min)

Armament

2 × fixed forward-firing 7.92 mm vz.28 machine guns.