Avia BH-26
Avia · Czechoslovakia · first flew 1927 · fighter
The Avia BH-26 was a Czechoslovak two-seat military biplane developed in 1927, used for advanced training and light duties by the Czechoslovak Air Force. It continued the Beneš-Hajn design philosophy applied to two-seat aircraft.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.93 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
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Spot it by:
- Czech late-1920s two-seat military biplane
- Inline engine with prominent exhaust stacks
- Tandem open cockpits in the Avia BH tradition
A two-bay biplane with tandem open cockpits, an inline engine with a narrow cowling, and typical Avia construction featuring clean wire-braced wings. Larger than the single-seat BH fighters but sharing their general proportions.
Specifications
- The Avia BH-26 has a length of 8.93 m (29 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.8 m (35 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 250 km/h (155 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Building on the single-seat BH fighters, Avia's design team adapted the formula for a two-seat military aircraft with the BH-26 in 1927. It was used as an advanced trainer and reconnaissance type, giving Czechoslovak aircrew experience on a modern biplane before transitioning to front-line fighters. Production was modest.
Variants
The BH-26 was produced in a single main form; it did not spawn significant operational sub-variants.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Czechoslovak Air Force in the training and liaison role during the late 1920s and early 1930s.
Related aircraft
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