Avia B-135
Avia · Czechoslovakia · first flew 1939 · fighter
The Avia B-135 was a Czechoslovak single-seat monoplane fighter designed as a successor to the B-534, featuring an enclosed cockpit, retractable undercarriage, and substantially improved performance. It was one of the most capable Czech designs of the period.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.5 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
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Spot it by:
- Czech single-seat fighter developed from the B-534 lineage
- Low-wing monoplane with enclosed cockpit and retractable undercarriage
- Operated by Bulgaria during WWII
Clean low-wing monoplane with a long inline-engine cowling, flush canopy, and narrow-track retractable undercarriage; closely resembles contemporary European fighters of the late 1930s.
Specifications
- The Avia B-135 has a length of 8.5 m (28 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.85 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 535 km/h (332 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Development continued even after the German occupation of Bohemia and Moravia in 1939. The completed aircraft were eventually exported to Bulgaria, which used them operationally during the war years. Czech production under German supervision produced a small batch for the Bulgarian Air Force.
Variants
The B-135 was produced in a single main variant; a further development, the B-235, was proposed but not built.
Where you'll see it
Served with the Bulgarian Air Force from the early 1940s; not operated by any UK or Western Allied air arms.
Related aircraft
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