Avia BH-33
Avia · Czechoslovakia · first flew 1927 · fighter
The Avia BH-33 was a Czechoslovak single-seat fighter biplane developed in the late 1920s by Avia's Beneš-Hajn design team. It was one of the more successful Czech fighter designs of the interwar period and was exported.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.22 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Czech 1920s parasol or sesquiplane fighter
- Single radial engine with Townend ring
- Used by Czechoslovak and Yugoslav air forces
A compact single-seat biplane fighter with a radial engine, narrow-chord wings, and a clean overall appearance. Distinguished from contemporaries by its Avia design signature of neat lines and relatively compact dimensions.
Specifications
- The Avia BH-33 has a length of 7.22 m (24 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.9 m (29 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 298 km/h (185 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by Pavel Beneš and Miroslav Hajn, the BH-33 first flew in 1927 and entered service with the Czechoslovak Air Force. It represented a notable achievement for the Czech aircraft industry and was also ordered by Yugoslavia. The aircraft was agile and well-regarded for its handling, though it was superseded by more modern monoplane fighters within a decade.
Variants
The BH-33E with an uprated engine was the primary export variant supplied to Yugoslavia.
Where you'll see it
Served with the Czechoslovak Air Force and the Royal Yugoslav Air Force during the late 1920s and into the 1930s.
Related aircraft
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