Avia B-534-IV
Avia · Czechoslovakia · first flew 1933 · fighter
The Avia B-534 was the principal Czech fighter of the late 1930s and one of the finest biplane fighters ever built, capable of outperforming many contemporary monoplanes in manoeuvrability. It was the mainstay of the Czechoslovak Air Force when Germany occupied the country in 1939.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.1 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Elegant single-bay biplane with enclosed cockpit
- Hs 12-cylinder inline engine with pointed spinner
- Spatted main undercarriage with streamlined struts
The enclosed cockpit canopy distinguishes the Series IV from earlier open-cockpit versions; the single-bay sesquiplane-style biplane with the pointed spinner and clean inline engine are hallmarks.
Specifications
- The Avia B-534-IV has a length of 8.1 m (27 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.4 m (31 ft).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1933, the B-534 entered Czechoslovak service in 1935 and underwent progressive development through four sub-variants. The IV series introduced a fully enclosed cockpit and four-gun armament. When Germany occupied Czechoslovakia in March 1939, hundreds of B-534s were seized and used as trainers and target tugs by the Luftwaffe, with some passed to Slovak and Bulgarian air forces.
Variants
The B-534 progressed through four series, with each improving the cockpit enclosure and armament; the BK-534 was a cannon-armed development that remained a prototype.
Where you'll see it
Slovak B-534s flew against Soviet forces on the Eastern Front in 1941, and some were operated by Bulgaria; captured examples served the Luftwaffe as advanced trainers until the mid-war period.
Related aircraft
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