Avia B.534 Single-Seat, Single-Engine Biplane Fighter Aircraft

The Czechoslovakian Avia B.534 series of biplane was a highly regarded though often forgotten product of the European nation. Some reports make it the best aircraft of its category during its early run through the 1930s. Such was the performance of the machine that the German Luftwaffe would briefly setup a fighter squadron utilizing captured B.534 aircraft.

Simply put, the Avia B.534 can be thought of as a melding of two ages in aviation history. The B.534 featured a static undercarriage and coupled with its throwback biplane wing assembly. Under that outdated facade was also four 7.7mm synchronized machine guns, a powerful 850 horsepower engine capable of 245 miles per hour and the ability for the weapon system to carry no fewer than six 44lb bombs. Handling of the system was reported to be favorable, so much so that this combination of speed, handling and firepower was highly respected.

Fuselage construction of the Avia B.534 was a unique mix of fabric-covered steel-structured wing assemblies. The fuselage, as a whole, was highly aerodynamic in nature, complete with an enclosed cockpit. The operational flight ceiling of over 30,000 necessitated this feature.

Avia B.534's would eventually see combat against the invading German forces, for the conquering German forces against the Soviet Union and ultimately phased out of service after completing several, less note-worthy, roles.

Specifications

Year:
1934

Status
Retired, Out-of-Service

Crew
1

[ 300 Units ] :
Avia - Czechoslovakia

Czechoslovakia; Nazi Germany

- Fighter
- Interception

Length:
26.90 ft (8.2 m)

Width:
30.84 ft (9.4 m)

Height:
10.17 ft (3.1 m)

(Showcased structural dimension values pertain to the Avia B.534-IV production model)

Empty Weight:
3,219 lb (1,460 kg)

MTOW:
4,674 lb (2,120 kg)
(Diff: +1,455lb)

(Showcased weight values pertain to the Avia B.534-IV production model)

1 x Hispano-Suiza HS 12Ydrs inline piston engine developing 850 horsepower driving a two-bladed propeller unit at the nose.

(Showcased powerplant information pertains to the Avia B.534-IV production model)

Max Speed:
245 mph (394 kph; 213 kts)

Service Ceiling:
34,777 feet (10,600 m; 6.59 miles)

Max Range:
360 miles (580 km; 313 nm)

Rate-of-Climb:
2,953 ft/min (900 m/min)

(Showcased performance values pertain to the Avia B.534-IV production model; Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database)

STANDARD:
4 x 7.7mm machine guns synchronized to fire through the spinning propeller blades.

OPTIONAL:
6 x 44lb bombs

(Showcased armament details pertain to the Avia B.534-IV production model)

B.234 - Base Series Designation

B.234-IV

General Assessment

Firepower

Performance

Survivability

Versatility

Impact

Values are derrived from a variety of categories related to the design, overall function, and historical influence of this aircraft in aviation history.

Overall Rating

The overall rating takes into account over 60 individual factors related to this aircraft entry. The rating is out of a possible 100.