Avia BH-3 (B3)
Avia BH-3 racing version
Role	Fighter Type of aircraft
Manufacturer	Avia
Designer	Pavel Beneš and Miroslav Hajn
First flight	1921
Introduction	1923
Retired	1927
Primary user	Czechoslovakian Air Force
Number built	14

The Avia BH-3 was a fighter plane built in Czechoslovakia in 1921. Conceptually a descendant of the BH-1 sports plane, it was a braced, low-wing monoplane of conventional configuration and tailskid undercarriage. Following favourable trials in June 1921, ten examples were ordered by the Czechoslovakian Air Force. These were delivered in 1923 under the military designation B.3. The type proved temperamental in service and was soon relegated to training duties, where it served until 1927.

Units using this aircraft

• 1st Airborne Regiment, Czechoslovakian Air Force

Specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: one pilot
• Length: 7.00 m (23 ft 0 in)
• Wingspan: 10.20 m (33 ft 5 in)
• Height: 3.10 m (10 ft 2 in)
• Wing area: 15.8 m² (170 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 778 kg (1,715 lb)
• Gross weight: 1,025 kg (2,260 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × BMW IIIa inline , 138 kW (185 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 225 km/h (140 mph, 121 kn) at sealevel; 240 km/h (150 mph; 130 kn) at 2,000 m (6,600 ft)
• Range: 500 km (300 mi, 260 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 7,800 m (25,600 ft)
• Rate of climb: 7.9 m/s (1,560 ft/min)

Armament

• 2 × fixed, forward-firing .303 Vickers machine guns