The overlooked Avia B.534, originating out of Czechoslovakia, was at the pinnacle of biplane fighter design in the pre-World War 2 period.
Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited:
6/7/2018
1/2
Credit: Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
2/2
Credit: Image from the Public Domain.
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 Under that outdated facade was also four 7.7mm synchronized machine guns, a powerful 850 horsepower engine capable of 245 miles per hour and the ability for the weapon system to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/Span:
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)
Maximum Speed:
245 mph (394 kph; 213 kts)
Service Ceiling:
34,777 feet (10,600 m; 6.59 miles)
Maximum 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)
The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com.
Part of a network of sites that includes AnvilOfWar.com, GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, and WDMMA.org, the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft.
Czechoslovakia; Nazi Germany
