Avia BH-21 & BH-22

The Avia BH-21, first flown in 1925, it was a robust biplane fighter that served an important role during the period between World War I and World War II.

A special training version, designated the BH-22, was also created.

Both versions utilized Hispano-Suiza V8 engines, the BH-22 the less powerful 180 HP version, the BH-21 the 224 kW (300 hp) Hispano-Suiza 8fb , built under license by Škoda.

The BH-21 was put into production by Avia in 1925, giving one hundred and thirty-nine aircraft for the Czechoslovak Air Force.

In June 1925 it was successful in trials staged by the Belgian Air Force.

One was built for Belgium by Avia, another thirty-nine were produced under license by the Belgian company, Société Anonyme Belge de Constructions Aéronautiques SABCA and five by the Société d’Etudes Général d’Aviation SEGA.

While in service, the BH-21 saw no combat as it was retired long before the outbreak of World War II.

In spite of this, it served as an important stepping stone to the more advanced BH-33 and B-34 types.

Variants

BH-21

Single seat fighter aircraft.

BH-21J

One BH-21 fitted with a Bristol Jupiter radial piston engine.

BH-22

Trainer

Specifications

Crew

One

Length

6.87 m (22 ft 6 in)

Wingspan

8.90 m (29 ft 2 in) upper wing slightly less

Height

2.74 m (9 ft 0 in)

Wing area

22 m2 (240 sq ft)

Empty weight

765 kg (1,687 lb)

Gross weight

1,075 kg (2,370 lb)

Fuel capacity

140 kg (310 lb)

Powerplant

1 × Hispano-Suiza 8Fb V-8 water-cooled piston engine, 224 kW (300 hp) at 1,850rpm

Propellers

2 bladed

Performance

Maximum speed

250 km/h (160 mph, 130 kn)

Stall speed

90 km/h (56 mph, 49 kn)

Range

600–650 km (370–400 mi, 320–350 nmi)

Time to altitude

7,000 m (23,000 ft) in 35 min

Armament

Guns

2 × 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Vickers machine guns in the upper front fuselage.

 

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