Avia BH-21
Avia / SABCA · Czechoslovakia · first flew 1925 · fighter
The Avia BH-21 was a Czechoslovak single-seat biplane fighter of the mid-1920s, designed by Beneš and Hajn at Avia. It was also manufactured under licence in Belgium by SABCA, demonstrating the international interest in Avia's designs.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.87 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Czech 1920s single-seat biplane fighter
- Licence-built in Belgium by SABCA
- Sesquiplane layout with open cockpit
A compact biplane fighter with the characteristic Avia Beneš-Hajn sesquiplane arrangement, open cockpit, and fixed undercarriage. Very similar in appearance to the BH-33 but slightly smaller and of earlier construction standards.
Specifications
- The Avia BH-21 has a length of 6.87 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.9 m (29 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 245 km/h (152 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1925, the BH-21 equipped the Czechoslovak Air Force and was exported to Belgium where it was built under licence by SABCA. It was a compact sesquiplane fighter representative of mid-1920s European fighter design, with good agility and a respectable top speed for its era. The design led directly to the more refined BH-33.
Variants
The BH-21J was a variant with a different engine; the Belgian-built SABCA examples had minor local modifications.
Where you'll see it
Served with the Czechoslovak Air Force and the Belgian Aeronautique Militaire through the late 1920s.
Related aircraft
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