The Avia B.35, also known by its RLM designation Av.35, was a combat aircraft manufactured in Czechoslovakia in the period leading up to the outbreak of World War II.
The B.35 was developed in response to a 1935 request from the Czechoslovakian Air Force for a new aircraft to replace their B.534 fighter biplanes.
This aircraft featured a sleek, low-wing monoplane design with an elliptical wing.
The fuselage was made of welded steel tube, covered with metal in the front and cockpit area, and fabric towards the rear.
In contrast, the wing was constructed entirely from wood.
Interestingly, the Air Force opted for a fixed tailwheel undercarriage on the B.35 to expedite the development process, as the technology for retractable undercarriage was not yet available.
The initial prototype, known as the B.35/1, exhibited exceptional flight characteristics and high speeds.
Originally, it was equipped with a Hispano-Suiza 12Ydrs piston engine.
Subsequently, the powerplant was replaced with a 12Ycrs engine, which had the same power output but included a provision for an autocannon to be installed between the cylinder banks to fire through the propeller hub.
Testing of this aircraft continued until November 22, 1938, when a fatal crash occurred, resulting in the death of Arnošt Kavalec, the test pilot from the Military Technical and Aeronautical Institute.
Despite this setback, a second prototype, the B.35/2, was nearing completion and featured redesigned ailerons and flaps.
Its maiden flight took place on December 30, with extensive testing commencing in February 1939.
A preproduction run of ten aircraft was planned, but the occupation of Czechoslovakia by Germany in March 1939 prevented their production.
Development, nonetheless, continued under German supervision, resulting in the significantly modified B.35/3 taking flight in August 1939.
The elliptical leading edges of the wings were substituted with straight edges, and an outward-retracting main undercarriage was installed.
This particular prototype was the first to be equipped with its designated armament.
Showcased at the Salon de l’Aéronautique in Brussels with German insignia and the registration D-IBPP, it garnered sufficient attention to prompt the enhancement of a superior model of the aircraft known as the B.135.
Variants
B.35/1
First prototype.
B.35/2
Second prototype.
B.35/3
Third prototype.
Specifications
Crew
One pilot
Length
8.50 m (27 ft 11 in)
Wingspan
10.85 m (35 ft 7 in)
Height
2.60 m (8 ft 6 in)
Wing area
17.00 m2 (183 sq ft)
Empty weight
1,690 kg (3,726 lb)
Gross weight
2,200 kg (4,850 lb)
Powerplant
1 × Hispano-Suiza 12Ycrs,
Supercharged liquid cooled 60° V12 engine,
640 kW (860 hp)
Performance
Maximum speed
495 km/h (308 mph, 268 kn)
Range
500 km (311 mi, 270 nmi)
Rate of climb
13.0 m/s (2,560 ft/min)
Wing loading
129.41 kg/m2 (26.50 lb/sq ft).
Sources
Czechoslovakian Air Force, 1918-1970, Aircam Aviation Special 05-Richard Ward, Zdenek Titz & Gordon C. Davies.
AVIA B-35 & B-135-MBI- M Bily, D Bernad & C Kucera.
