Avia BH-1

Avia · Czechoslovakia · first flew 1920 · light aircraft

The Avia BH-1 was the first aircraft designed and built by the newly established Czech Avia company in 1920, a small single-seat sport monoplane that demonstrated the company's early design capability. It was designed by Pavel Beneš and Miroslav Hajn.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	5.7 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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First aircraft designed by Avia in Czechoslovakia
Small single-seat sport monoplane, 1920
Foundation of Czech Avia company's aircraft line

Small single-seat monoplane with a simple wooden structure, open cockpit, and conventional fixed undercarriage. Very modest dimensions typical of early 1920s Central European sport aircraft.

Specifications

The Avia BH-1 has a length of 5.7 m (19 ft).
It has a wingspan of 10.08 m (33 ft).
Its maximum speed is 137 km/h (85 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Avia was founded in 1919 and the BH-1 was their inaugural design, the BH initials standing for Beneš-Hajn. It first flew in 1920 and proved successful enough to encourage the company to continue aircraft development. Avia went on to become one of Czechoslovakia's major aircraft manufacturers, producing fighters and other types in the interwar period. The BH-1 was the starting point of an important Central European aviation tradition.

Variants

The BH-1 was a prototype/early design; Avia rapidly progressed to more capable designs including the BH-3, BH-9, and eventually the B-534 fighter.

Where you'll see it

Used for demonstration and sport flying in Czechoslovakia. Not placed in military service; its role was to prove Avia's design team capabilities.

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