Avia BH-3
The Avia BH -3 was a Czechoslovakian fighter aircraft from the year 1921. Unusual for its time, the design is single deck, as most fighters of this era were biplanes.
Development
Staff members Avia designers Pavel Beneš and Miroslav Hajn (hence the abbreviation BH) developed the BH- 3 from the also exported to Eindeckerbauweise sport aircraft BH- 1to of 1921. The plane was made of wood and the wings in low-wing configuration had the fuselage affiliated V bracing.
Starting point of the development was put by the Defence requirement č.j.293808 vzduchopl./1921 of 27 April 1921 which called for the construction of a prototype of the BH -3 for the price of 421,000 Kč ( without engine and armament ). The first of four prototypes with the designation Av -B 3:01 launched on 16 December 1921, Bohumil Munzar at the wheel on its maiden flight. On June 6, 1922, however, came to disaster when the prototype crashed in the presence of a commission of the Defense Ministry and Munzar met his death. Avia, however, managed to convince the Ministry of them that the crash had nothing to with the construction. The work could then be continued. So the new plant pilot Josef Škubal with the tests could begin the " spare prototypes " Av -B 3:01 already on the beginning of November 1922. This machine was equipped with a BMW IIIa, while the second prototype of a Hispano Suiza received (factory designation BH- 4 and Av -HS- 3.01). The testing showed satisfactory flight characteristics, which is why the Ministry of Defence on December 15, 1922 an order for ten series machines signed ( Kč 210,000 per cell ). They were 1923 shipped under the name B- 3 to the air forces and the 1st Aviation Regiment ( 32 flyer rotting ) flown in Prague- Kbely, where the B - 3.4 at Avia remained for testing purposes and the B- 3.7 came to the flying school to Cheb ( later it was followed by the B- 3.6). However, the machines remained not very long at the 1st Aviation Regiment, as they have already passed the middle of 1924 to the flying school Cheb. In 1927, the retirement.
The fourth prototype B- 3:04 received a tentative powerful Walter -W -IV engine. Since the speed limit by only 5 km / h, the mass but increased to 17 kg, the project was not pursued further.