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Czechoslovakia's Avia B 135 fighter¹

Avia B 135:

Design

The Avia B 135 was designed to meet the Czechoslovakian government's requirement for a monoplane fighter that was put out in 1935.¹ It was to replace the Avia B 534.¹

Construction

The B 35 prototype had eliptical wings made out of wood and the fuselage was made from a steel tube structure that was covered by alloy and fabric.¹

Undercarraige

The first two prototypes had fixed undercarriages, even though it was intended to have retracting gear.¹

Prototype

The first B 35 prototype first flew on September 28, 1938.¹ The second prototype flew in December 1938.¹ The third prototype, with retractable undercarriages, first flew in June 1939.¹

Production

• B 35 prototype: 3¹
• B 135 prototype: 1¹
• B 135: 12¹
• Total: 16¹

Variants

• B 35 prototype: Had HS12 Ycrs engine.¹
• B 135: First flew in 1940.¹

Usage

Bulgaria

A Bulgarian military mission evalutaed the B 135 and an order was placed for twelve B 135s.¹ The Bulgarians were to licence build 50 more, and they were to be called the DAR-11 Ljastuvka (Swallow).¹ The B 135s were delivered in mid 1941 along with the drawings, but no production was undertaken.¹

The B 135s were primarily used by the Fighter Pilot School.¹ They were used in defending against USAAF bombers.¹

Sources:

1. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998