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Avia B-534 Biplane Fighter

Avia B-534 Biplane Fighter

Developed from the Avia B-34, the Avia B-534 was a single-seat biplane fighter designed for the Czechoslovak Air Force. First flying o 25 May 1933, it entered service in 1935 with production continuing until 1939. A total of 538 were built serving several air forces during the Second World War.

Bulgaria

Czechoslovakia

Avia Bk-534
Avia Bk-534

Germany

Avia Bk-534, Flugzeugführerschule FFS A/B 72 in Markersdorf / St. Pölten, ca. 1941
Avia Bk-534, Flugzeugführerschule FFS A/B 72 in Markersdorf / St. Pölten, ca. 1941

Hungary

One B-534 was captured by the Hungarians during the border war in 1939 and tested by the Royal Hungarian Air Force, carrying the code HA-VAB, later given the serial number G.192. The Hungarians concluded that the B-534 was an inferior aircraft to their existing fighters. In 1943 the B-534 was handed over to the Gliding and Aero Club at Győr, and was destroyed in 1945 when the Soviet Army overran the area.

Avia B-534 being evaluated by the Royal Hungarian Air Force
Avia B-534 being evaluated by the Royal Hungarian Air Force

Slovakia

USSR

The Soviet Union captured several Avia B-534s which were sent to the Air Force Research Centre for evaluation.

Avia B-534 being tested at the Soviet Air Force Research Institute
Avia B-534 being tested at the Soviet Air Force Research Institute

Avia B-534 in Slovak Service

Slovak Avia 534

Avia B-534 in Slovak Service

With the partition of Czechoslovalia on 14 March 1939, Slovakia inherited 71 Avia B-534 biplane fighters. Two squadrons participated alongside Luftwaffe units in the invasion of Poland in September 1939. They were later deployed to Ukraine in 1941 during the invasion of the USSR. In 1942, one squadron was returned to Slovakia for anti-partisan operations. By 1943, obsolescence and a lack of spare parts relegated them to training roles.

During the National Slovak Uprising of September-October 1944, a B-534 shot down a Hungarian Junkers Ju 52, the last confirmed aerial victory of a biplane fighter.

Avia B-634 Biplane Fighter

Avia B-634

Avia B-634 Biplane Fighter

Developed from the Avia B-534 biplane fighter, for the Czech Air Force, the B-634 incorporated numerous modifications in order to increase performance. Despite these changes, and the airframe being significantly more aerodynamically cleaner, it was only marginally faster than its predecessor. This was primarily due to increased weight resulting from the changes. As a result only two prototypes were built.