Avia B-135
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| B.135 | |
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| Type | Fighter |
| Manufacturer | Avia |
| Designed by | František Novotný |
| Maiden flight | 28 September 1938 |
| Primary user | Bulgarian Air Force |
| Number built | 12 |
The Avia B.135 (RLM designation Av-135) was a modern Czechoslovak fighter aircraft. It was the production version of the Avia B-35 developed shortly before the war, based on the B-35/3 prototype but featuring a new and all-metal wing.
The B.135/1 prototype attracted the attention of Bulgarian Air Force officers visiting the Avia plant, and a production contract for 12 aircraft and 62 engines was signed, as well as a license to allow an additional 50 airframes to be constructed by DAR as the DAR 11 Ljastuvka ("swallow"). However the DAR facilities proved to be incapable of producing the aircraft, and only the 12 Czech-built examples were ever made. Plans for further production were stopped by the RLM, which also interrupted engine deliveries after 35 units; and the Bulgarian Air Force was encouraged to purchase the Messerschmitt Bf 109 instead.
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[edit] Operational history
In service, the B-135s gave continual engine problems and were soon relegated to training roles. Four aircraft did, however, see combat on 30 March 1944 when they intercepted USAAF bomber formations encroaching on Bulgarian airspace after attacking Ploieşti. Some (Bulgarian) sources credit Lt Yordan Ferdinandov with a B-24 Liberator kill that morning.
[edit] Specifications (B-135)
General characteristics
- Crew: one pilot
- Length: 8.50 m (27 ft 11 in)
- Wingspan: 10.85 m (35 ft 8 in)
- Height: 2.60 m (8 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 17.0 m² (183 ft²)
- Empty weight: 2,063 kg (4,548 lb)
- Gross weight: 2,547 kg (5,615 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Avia 12Ycrs, 640 kW (860 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 535 km/h (332 mph)
- Range: 550 km (340 miles)
- Service ceiling: 8,500 m (27,890 ft)
- Rate of climb: 13.5 m/s (2,660 ft/min)
Armament
- 1 × 20 mm MG FF cannon
- 2 × 7.92 mm wz.30 machine guns
[edit] References
[edit] Notes
[edit] Bibliography
- Bílý, Miroslav. Avia B-35/B-135 (in Czech/English). Praha, Czech Republic: MBI, 2003. ISBN 80-86524-03-5.
- Green, William. War Planes of the Second World War, Fighters, Volume One. London: Macdonald & Co.(Publishers) Ltd., 1960. ISBN 0-356-01445-2.
- Taylor, Michael J. H. Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 1989.
- World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing. (pages=File 889 Sheet 85)
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
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