The Czech engine manufacturing company “Ceskomoravska-Kolben-Danek” (CKD), founded in 1915, produced several engines under the name Praga. In 1931, the firm engaged in the development and production of aircraft under the CKD-Praga brand, though they were often simply called Praga.
Praga hired former Avia engineers Pavel Beneš and Miroslav Hajn, whose initials became part of the designations for most of their early aircraft. This collaboration was instrumental in their new aviation projects.
Origins and Development
In 1932, the Czechoslovak Ministry of Defense announced a competition for a new light bomber-reconnaissance aircraft, intended to replace the outdated Aero A-11, Letov S-16, and Aero AP-32. Both Aero and Praga participated in this competition.
Praga’s project, designated BH-36 (or E-36), was completed in 1934. This aircraft was designed to meet the operational needs of the Czechoslovak air force at the time.
Technical Specifications
The BH-36 was a two-seat biplane with an open cockpit, armed with two synchronized machine guns and one turret gun in the rear cockpit. In addition to its armament, the BH-36 could carry up to 800 kg of bombs, giving it considerable offensive capability for its class.
Testing and Cancellation
The prototype’s first flight took place on March 20, 1934. During testing, the aircraft performed exceptionally well, earning praise from pilots for its maneuverability, which was considered almost at fighter level.
However, despite all the flattering military reviews, “the train had already left”; the competition winner, the Aero A.100, had already been announced in 1933, and the BH-36 project was subsequently canceled.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | BH-36 |
| Wingspan, m | 14.20 |
| Length, m | 9.67 |
| Wing area, m2 | 47.00 |
| Empty weight | 2 176 |
| Normal takeoff weight | 3100 |
| Engine type | 1 Piston engine Avia (Hispano-Suiza) Vr-36 |
| Power, hp | 1 x 740 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 272 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 234 |
| Flight endurance, h.min | 4.45 |
| Service ceiling, m | 6500 |
| Crew, crew members | 2 |
| Armament: | 2 forward 7.92-mm machine guns wz. 28 and 1 rear machine gun of the same type on a movable Skoda Su-31 turret; bomb load – 800 kg of bombs |