BH-26 • wp.archivoaereo.com

The BH-26 was a fighter aircraft developed by the Czechoslovakian firm Avia. This model represented the company’s first attempt to design a two-seat fighter, retaining the wooden construction characteristic of early Avia aircraft. It was powered by a Jupiter IV engine, produced under license by the Walter company.

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Initial Design and Evolution

Similar to early Benes and Hain aircraft, the BH-26 initially featured only a rudder, lacking a fixed fin. Flight experience revealed the necessity of incorporating a fin, which was subsequently installed on production models to enhance stability. The aircraft’s lower wing was equipped with large-span ailerons, featuring aerodynamic compensation via a small surface attached to the aileron with three brackets.

Armament and Operational Service

Regarding its armament, the BH-26 was fitted with two synchronized 7.7-mm Vickers machine guns. Additionally, it boasted a twin-barreled Lewis machine gun on a movable Skoda-manufactured turret, positioned in the rear cockpit of the two-seater. This configuration provided substantial offensive capability for its era.

The aircraft was adopted by the Czechoslovakian Air Force under the designation B.26. However, available data suggests that only eight series production BH-26 aircraft were built for the Czechoslovakian Armed Forces, and these units did not enter service with front-line units, thereby limiting their operational impact.

Technical Specifications

Modification	BH-26
Wingspan, m	10.80
Length, m	8.85
Height, m	3.35
Wing area, m2	31.00
Empty weight	1080
Normal takeoff weight	1760
Engine type	1 Piston engine Walter Jupiter IV
Power, hp	1 x 450
Maximum speed, km/h	242
Cruising speed, km/h	220
Practical range, km	600
Rate of climb, m/min	370
Practical ceiling, m	5700
Crew, crew members	2
Armament	two forward 7.7-mm Vickers machine guns, one rear twin-barrel 7.7-mm Lewis machine gun