Avia BH-28

In early 1927, the Avia company developed a new reconnaissance aircraft based on the BH-26 fighter-reconnaissance aircraft. The Romanian Aviation Ministry was the client for the aircraft, designated BH-28.

Design and Technical Specifications

The prototype first took to the air on February 17, 1927. It was a two-seat, wooden, single-strut biplane, equipped with an Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar radial engine producing 385 hp (287 kW).

The aircraft’s armament consisted of two synchronized forward-firing 7.7mm machine guns and one identical machine gun mounted on a movable turret in the rear cockpit.

Testing and Tragedy in Romania

In April 1927, the prototype was handed over to the Romanian Air Force for testing, during which the aircraft crashed. The crash claimed the lives of pilots Bican and Kinský, winners of the 1926 Coppa d’Italia competition. Consequently, the contract never materialized.

Czechoslovak Competition

The rebuilt BH-28 was then submitted to a reconnaissance aircraft competition held by the Czechoslovak Ministry of National Defense. However, it did not achieve success there either, with the Aero A-32 reconnaissance aircraft being declared the winner.

Technical Specifications

Modification	BH-28
Wingspan, m	11.80
Length, m	9.05
Wing area, m2	36.50
Empty weight	1150
Normal takeoff weight	1950
Engine type	1 Piston engine Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar
Power, hp	1 x 385
Maximum speed, km/h	230
Cruising speed, km/h	195
Practical range, km	900
Rate of climb, m/min	198
Service ceiling, m	7200
Crew	2
Armament	two forward-firing synchronized 7.7-mm machine guns and one identical machine gun mounted on a movable turret in the rear cockpit

Image and diagram gallery of the Avia BH-28

BH-28

BH-28