Avia BH-7
Avia · Czechoslovakia · first flew 1923 · fighter
The Avia BH-7 was a Czechoslovak single-seat fighter and racing monoplane first flown in 1923, designed by the Beneš-Hajn team. It explored the monoplane configuration for high speed within the BH development series.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Shoulder-wing monoplane with streamlined fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Czech 1923 single-seat racing and fighter monoplane
- Shoulder-wing monoplane with streamlined fuselage
- Beneš-Hajn racing design from the BH series
A shoulder-wing monoplane with a streamlined fuselage, single inline engine, open cockpit, and fixed undercarriage — more streamlined in appearance than the biplane BH types of the same era.
Specifications
- The Avia BH-7 has a length of 6.84 m (22 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.4 m (34 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 240 km/h (149 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Departing from the biplane formula used in most early BH designs, the BH-7 was a monoplane that prioritised speed and aerodynamic cleanliness. It was developed partly as a racing aircraft and partly to evaluate monoplane fighter characteristics. The design informed subsequent Avia fighter development even as the biplane ultimately remained the dominant format.
Variants
The BH-7 was a single experimental type; production did not follow.
Where you'll see it
Used for experimental and racing purposes by Czech pilots in the early 1920s; no military operational service.
Related aircraft
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