Avia S-103

Avia · Czechoslovakia · first flew 1953 · fighter

The Avia S-103 is the Czechoslovak licence-built version of the MiG-15bis, the improved variant with the more powerful Klimov VK-1 engine, produced in greater numbers than the earlier S-102.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, swept
E — Engines	1 × turbojet, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	10.11 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Czechoslovak licence-built MiG-15bis with uprated VK-1 engine
Improved swept-wing fighter over S-102 baseline
Avia-built Soviet design with Czechoslovak roundels

Nearly identical to the S-102 and MiG-15bis; the broader engine air intakes of the VK-1-powered variant and minor cowling differences are the only distinguishing features from the original MiG-15 standard.

Specifications

The Avia S-103 has a length of 10.11 m (33 ft).
It has a wingspan of 10.08 m (33 ft).
Its maximum speed is 1076 km/h (669 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

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

History

Following successful production of the S-102, Avia transitioned to the bis standard as the S-103, incorporating the uprated VK-1 engine and various structural improvements from the Soviet MiG-15bis. The S-103 became the principal Czech swept-wing fighter of the mid-1950s. Czechoslovakia also exported some aircraft to other Warsaw Pact states.

Variants

The S-103 is the bis-standard aircraft; the two-seat trainer equivalent was designated CS-102. No significant unique Czech subvariants were developed.

Where you'll see it

Operated by the Czechoslovak Air Force from 1953 through the late 1950s before being superseded by the MiG-19 family. Some were transferred to other socialist nations. Museum examples survive in the Czech Republic.

Related aircraft

AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.