That's what I like about this channel - not the famous planes everyone discusses, but all these 'almost' and 'should have/could have' beauties. Unjustly neglected side of aviation (and one that finally makes me admit my woeful ignorance). Many thanks.
Greetings from Bulgaria! I remember reading about this plane around 25 years ago in one of the Bulgarian aviation magazines from the time (still got the old thing somewhere). I do not take that old info as 100% accurate (as the sources back then were worse than now), but there are a few interesting things to mention. First, the planes never got the canons and remained armed only with the machine guns. I think that was part of the reason they were used only for training. In a sense those B.524 were better armed that the B 135. The details of the story of the only kill are a bit hazy, but i remember it was done by one of the instructors. It was also implied that the deed was sort of a "dare" by the trainees as they thought that the two machine guns were useless and the instructor was proving them wrong. I take the second part as an urban legend though. On a separate note, once the communists took over in September 1944, a lot of things changed (for the worse). After the war, the army was rapidly rearmed with soviet equipment and all "nazi" weapons and vehicles were scrapped. That is also a reason none of the planes from the time survived to be in a museum or something like that.
Well they got something important, quite possibly the Pilot. Having six or more machine guns simply means same weight of fire in a shorter timeframe. A competent individual with the advantage of position could certainly pull it off.
Well he didn't really have a choice. Neither did Daladier. Both the British and French public would revolt and chuck them away. Buuut they could have at least brought Beneš to the conference. I guess they couldn't look him straight in the eye while they stabbed him in the back.
@@gunner678 I didn't intend to justify his actions, merely explain them. And I failed, sorry. But I really can't be angry about that, I'm more angry with those guys with red flags, both with agricultural devices and kidnapped Indian symbols.
according to most of the pre-1989 Czechoslovak literature the reason for the fixed gear on the B-35 prototypes was the same as for using the weaker engine - the originally planned gear was simply not yet available and both the MoD and Avia were rather in a hurry for obvious reasons.
There’s a great interview with a Luftwaffe navigator who spent most of the war in Scotland and Canada in a pow camps. He described being attacked by a Hurricane witha French tricolour mini flag. Next op he got shot up by a hurri with a Polish mini flag. Shortly afterwards he was shot down by a hurricane with a Czech flag. His comments about this state of affairs were understandable. Great vid. Never heard of this kite - which is exactly what I’m looking forward in this sort of channel.
I'm sure there's a Brexit joke in there somewhere. It's almost like we have a rich history of providing transport for other nationalities to use. And in general we benefit when we freely allow them to do just that. If only there were a present day parallel...
Luftwaffe navigator had to be frustrated, not knowing which occupied country to curse at! French, Poles, and Czechs were often the most highly motivated soldiers in the war. They had scores to settle.
A factual comment: Avia was not "inherited" by the Czechoslovakia at the moment of its foundation in 1918. The factory was set up in 1919 by the private capital to take advantage of expected government demand for new military and civilian airplanes. There was no aviation industry on the territory of new republic before 1918. Another aircraft manufacturer (Aero of postwar L-39 fame) was founded at the same time and both companies competed for government and civilian contracts in the 1920s and 1930s. Btw, Avia(as Aero) still exists till this day. It ceased to produce aircraft in 1950s(last aircraft built was licensed Ilyushin Il-14). It produced vans and today it produces engines for trucks.
Well done Ed! Your feature on the B-135 is highly informative. This aircraft is one of the very Czechoslovakian "could have beens". May I just add that the Hispano-Suiza HS12 Ycrs engine (also Ydrs minus the 20mm cannon) was built in Czechoslovakia under licence, and to high standard. With the same power as the Morane MS-406 (860bhp) the B-135 was considerably faster at 334mph top speed vs. 298mph for the MS-406.
This particular airplane led me to the plastic models building 35 years ago. I was given a 1:72 kit of Avia B.35 prototype from Kovozávody Prostějov and then had built more than 50 such models. The kit is still available on the market (now Kopro branded) if anybody is intersted, and there is also B.135 available from RS Models.
Here because I'm going through my stash to choose the next build, and found a neglected kp box kit of the B35 I think I will do this one as the prototype, with half bare metal fuselage, fabric tail, and wooden wings There are several around in ebay, but the prices are getting nuts
Czech’s made some great guns too, I’m fascinated by the Czech, they have a very interesting history and culture. They’ve just had the miss fortune to be stuck between great powers.
Czech’s made some great guns too, I’m fascinated by the Czech, they have a very interesting history and culture. They’ve just had the miss fortune to be stuck between great powers.
@@rooseveltbrentwood9654 Yes, we Czechs are a skilled nation. We just have bad luck with the Allies. For example, France and Britain in 1938-1939. Who threw us overboard in the belief that he would be saved from Adolf. Then our "brothers" who came to "liberate" us in 1968. And so we could go on ....... Now we are a broken nation that no longer has its own industry because everything was bought by foreign companies. Mostly German ...... Irony, right?Otherwise we say: Golden Czech hands
Another great vid of a lesser known aircraft! I really like this 'little fighter that could', and built the one flown by Jordan Ferdinandov, who made the single recorded kill, in 1/72 scale.
I’m surprised someone made a kit for such an obscure aircraft. I checked out your channel, you do some beautiful work. I wish I had that kind talent and patience. All of my models look quite bad, but I still get a kick out of them.
Confirmed. Ed has an actual "bag of holding" in the bottom of a hat, and it's *full* of rabbits. All we can do is sit back and see what else pops up...
Sadly, lots of inaccuracies in the video. And mean, a lot! The B.135 was not produced in Bulgaria not because some perceived "inability of Bulgarian factories" (a myth that, perplexingly, continues to persist in Czech and the rare English publication) but because engines beyond the initial dozen, and no 20mm guns, were never delivered. Worse, the initial batch was apparently sabotaged in Czechia and sprayed with acid, so the frames were corroded. This was kept secret from the Germans to avoid repressions against the Czech, one of the reasons why this is apparently entirely ignored in foreign publications (or videos). The corroded frames were rebuilt already weakened and stress limits were imposed, and with only two 7.9mm MGs and a weak engine, the Avias were deemed for combat duty and relegated to trainers. The sole combat flight on March 30th 1944 went quite different than what you described, Ed. Sofia was the target of a massed 15th USAAF heavies, three waves of over 150 planes each. As previous raids were always composed of two waves, after the second 2/6 and 3/6 orlayks defending the capital landed for rest, rearm and refuel, while AA crews stood down. This was when the third wave, for some reason unreported by German Freya radars, came in. The four Avias were the personal, all-times ready mounts of four of the flight instructors at Dolna Mitropolia AF. They purposely took off and engaged about 140 B-24s, being alone without any support, with advanced trainers, armed with only two light MGs each. One bomber was downed for no losses by Kapitan (Captain) Krastio Atanasov and Poruchik (Lieutenant) Yordan Ferdinandov. In fact, I am currently building a scale model of Ferdinandov's White 5. I appreciate the effort in the video, Ed but it's full of errors and sadly, doesn't represent an event that's rightly considered one the most heroic moments of Bulgarian aviation during the darkest period of the Allied bombing campaign.
Great Content! Generally unknown A/C types . I have a czech 1:72 model kit of the B 35. 'If only...' the development had begun a few yrs earlier- like so many of the French -'not quite in time"-( and not enough numbers) designs or the Pzl 'Jaztreb prototype.
I have the propeller of one of those B135 planes, which my grandpa gave me in the late 70s, I forgot the old propeller in my mom's house for over 25 years but I am planning to pick it up now.
Following the Munich Agreement in 1938, Czechoslovakia was occupied by nazi Germany, Hungary and Poland. People tend to forget that Hungary and Poland were also part of that shameful event. Other than that, great video as always.
535 kph with only 860 hp? As can be seen by its sleek lines, this aircraft is an aerodynamic marvel, much faster than most French fighter planes with the same engine.
Thanks Ed. Another aircraft brought out from the mists of time. It would have been interesting to have seen the B-534 as a monoplane with a retractable undercarriage. It would have been rather racy and it does look somewhat like the Hawker Hurricane with a longer nose.
Are you generally planning on obscure/rare A/C types? Would be great to see your review of the French Bloch MB 152/55 series of fighters,and Definatly the Arsenal VG 33 series. Also the twin engine light attack bombers from Breguet and Potez.
It still seems so insane to have left Czechoslovakia to its fate. War should have been made on Germany then and there, they would have sued for peace quickly and had their war plans set back years, as the Czech military falling into Hitler's lap was perfect for upping his war plans on Poland. I doubt he could have invaded in 1939 without all those Czech weapons like tanks and artillery. Shameful period in Europe's history could have been avoided. PS: You're one of the few non-German TH-camrs that says Luftwaffe anywhere near correctly its a nice gold star for your channel I think ;)
It's a very interesting question to ask - and the answer isn't quite as simple as 'appeasement', but concerns the state of the rearmament programme in the UK, the perception of German strength, plus France's defensive strategy... amongst many other factors. But an interesting why noy/what if all the same.
Somewhat ironically, shortly before the invasion, the Czechs offered Britain full equipment for an armoured division, tanks, all other vehicles, the lot, if Britain would say no to the German occupation of the Sudetenland. You don't get an offer like that everyday. However, the problem remained; Britain had no more ability to go and pick up their freebee than they had to stop the Wehrmacht at that time.
Looks like the prototype had a fixed pitch propeller and the production switched to at least some sort of variable pitch, so that would be a considerable upgrade even with only two blades. Would need more info to find out if it was constant speed or not.
AVIA měla v té době již zakoupenou licenci na Americké vrtule Hamilton .S okupací Německem je Američané již odmítli dodat. A údajně do dnes ani nevrátili peníze...
Great video, love it! I knew about this plane, but couldn't really find any details about it. You filled the gap in my 'education', thank you. What about Avia S.199, the first Israeli fighter?
The Soviets aquired the rights to the Hispano-Suiza engine and developed it as the Klimov 105 of around 1250hp used in the Yak-9. If they had the opportunity, the Avia might have had a similar evolution as the Soviet Yak fighters.
Sadly the only Avias you see today are in museums...and they used to be on the roads: Avia lorries were ubiquitous during the socialist era and they sort of remained a decade or two afterwards. The joke went: "Avia is the fastest vehicle on Czech roads: Always leading the traffic jam!"
Nice video of an interesting aircraft. Shame it was never fully developed with a bit stronger engine and armament, good looking reminds me of the early LaGGs.
Bravo, or BZ, Mr. Nash. I very much appreciate your illumination of the subject matters you provide; not just the forgotten aircraft, but the contemporary subjects as well. I will look to support you on patreon. Do you have another support option as well?
How would the Avia B.135 be compared to its contemporaries? Would it had made any difference if Czechoslovakia actually fought off the German annexation?
Nobody will ever know as Avia B135 saw very little use(therefore little information how it compared to, say early Bf109) and saw no further development after March 1939...... But you can speculate.... like what if Brits provided license of RR Merlin etc:):)
France and Great Britain were foolish and cowardly to allow Nazi Germany to just walk into Czechoslovakia. Hitler would backed down if the Czechs had some military and moral support . Did they not consider how much stronger Germany would be with the Czech armament producing for them now?
Well ..... or the Germans would bloody their nose in short war against Czechoslovakia, Britain and France in October 1938 in which they would inevitably conquered Czechoslovak borderlands and then all would agree to ceasefire and later the peace treaty. Therefore no WW2 would happen and Czechoslovakia would remain in 'post cease-fire borders'(= 'post-Munich' borders) till this day
Since you dove into Eastern European equipment, maybe you should do one on PZL 37. The PZL constructor had a number of very interesting and promising designs before WW2 started, some of them actually used.
The B534 kinda reminds me of a Christian Eagle or Pitts Special. Just not as refined. Gorgeous airplane though. I'd love to get my hands on the drawings and build one. That would turn some heads at Oshkosh or Sun 'n Fun. And yeah. Chamberlain did screw the checzk's over hard and without even a dinner out first.
the Avia S-199 could be an interesting plane to cover - a combination of a Bf-109G airframe and a Jumo 211 bomber engine built in Czechoslovakia after the war that apparently handled like a dog; flown in combat by the Israelis in the first Arab war, who managed to score victories in them, incl. Egyptian Spitfire Mk.IXs. Many people have heard about the Buchón, not many have about this one.
Question, how did they get the canon to fire through the propeller hub, without inverting the V12 engine, as the Germans did? (using a gear drive to the prop shaft.)
The Czech were the first to push the HS to 1000 hp and only the German occupation prevented them from being the first to put a 1000 hp HS engine into mass production. In the USSR, Klimov manufactured the original HS design as the M-100 and heavily modified it during the war for more power output. While still using a modified HS block, Klimov designed completely new cylinder heads, new valves, new supercharger and new reduction gears and modified many more parts. Most Klimov production engines ranged from 1100-1300 hp with prototypes up to 1850. The famous Sowjet diesel tank engine first used in the T-34 (600 hp during the war, well over 1000 hp turbocharged later) also based on the HS engine. While having no interchangable parts, the overall layout and dimensions are the same. The American Allison V-1770 (up to 1600 hp during the war, 1850 postwar) also has remarkibly similar dimensions to the HS engine. Even though not being a direct copy and not having interchangable parts, the "all American" V-12 was heavily inspired by HS. The Allison even shares the same attachment points.
I almost forgot. The identical attachment points were and still are very useful. The Finish AF reengined some of its Morane fighters with captured Klimov engines, the Sowjets reengined some P-39 with Klimovs and today's airworthy Yaks fly with Allisons.
Since you've dipped into Czechoslovak aviation, will you cover Aero L-39 Albatros? A hugely successful jet trainer, a sort of "BAE Hawk of the Eastern Bloc", which was later developed into L-159 Alca, a light attack aircraft, currently in service of the Army of the Czech republic.
How remarkable, I have never encountered any reports on the Ploesti raid, involving anything other than flak. Perhaps they left very little impression on the crews?
cockpit reminds me of the Hawker Tornado or early Typhoon. Tail reminds me of Hurricane. Wings and landing gear look almost like they came off a Spitfire. Engine jowl clearly looks like a Tornado, Typhoon, or Tempest.
Boy, you sure said everything that needed to be said, about Czechoslovakia in your intro. A small country which established not just industries, but premier industries, many of which continue to this day. I am saying that as a son of Hungarian immigrants in Australia. Keep me informed, in my woeful ignorance, please.
Why is there a picture of Naval guns to illustrate Czechoslovakias inherited industry? The only thing less likely than a Czech navy would surely be Germany / Austria Hungary basing their naval industry not near the sea?!
@@benholroyd5221 Guns were produced by Skoda Plzen, 100%. Turrets, no idea.(may be Skoda, may be others). But the turrets do not require as precise manufacturing as guns, so they might have been produced closer to the coast which would be logical. On the other hand, if turrets can't be produced just next to the ships, what difference it makes if they need to be transported by rail 10km or 1000km?
@@letecmig well rail guns were naval guns and they seem to be pushing the limits of what you can fit on a railway car. The though of doubling or tripling up. Plus inches (feet) and tons of armour. Maybe smaller turrets?
@@benholroyd5221 The Skoda was basically the only gun manufacturer in Austria-Hungary capable of producing such guns. Plus the areas close to the Adriatic coast of Austria-Hungary were basically industry-free. So the Austria-Hungary had little choice than to get those guns there from Plzen by rail. Alternative would be to get the guns from Czechia to the German north coast on river boats and from there by the naval ships. Not really sure. But the guns were made by Skoda, that is for sure.
That's what I like about this channel - not the famous planes everyone discusses, but all these 'almost' and 'should have/could have' beauties. Unjustly neglected side of aviation (and one that finally makes me admit my woeful ignorance). Many thanks.
Yea, he makes me feel woefully ignorant as well. What a great resource.
Greetings from Bulgaria! I remember reading about this plane around 25 years ago in one of the Bulgarian aviation magazines from the time (still got the old thing somewhere). I do not take that old info as 100% accurate (as the sources back then were worse than now), but there are a few interesting things to mention. First, the planes never got the canons and remained armed only with the machine guns. I think that was part of the reason they were used only for training. In a sense those B.524 were better armed that the B 135.
The details of the story of the only kill are a bit hazy, but i remember it was done by one of the instructors. It was also implied that the deed was sort of a "dare" by the trainees as they thought that the two machine guns were useless and the instructor was proving them wrong. I take the second part as an urban legend though.
On a separate note, once the communists took over in September 1944, a lot of things changed (for the worse). After the war, the army was rapidly rearmed with soviet equipment and all "nazi" weapons and vehicles were scrapped. That is also a reason none of the planes from the time survived to be in a museum or something like that.
😊One of the good things about the internet. It is bringing the world together. Thank you, sir, our correspondent from Bulgaria
Well they got something important, quite possibly the Pilot. Having six or more machine guns simply means same weight of fire in a shorter timeframe.
A competent individual with the advantage of position could certainly pull it off.
Zákaz montáže 20 mm kanonů vzešel z německé strany z důvodu jejich stálého nedostatku...
It's very sad that chamberlain's piece of paper left these courageous people hanging out to dry. Great video as usual.
Well he didn't really have a choice. Neither did Daladier. Both the British and French public would revolt and chuck them away.
Buuut they could have at least brought Beneš to the conference. I guess they couldn't look him straight in the eye while they stabbed him in the back.
Corageous people dont rely on others to protect them.
@@vaclav_fejt I'm not in agreement with you at all. Then very least Benes should have been at the summit.
@@gunner678 I didn't intend to justify his actions, merely explain them. And I failed, sorry.
But I really can't be angry about that, I'm more angry with those guys with red flags, both with agricultural devices and kidnapped Indian symbols.
@@MS-gr2nv Wise people know how to do politics.
I really thought I knew about old military aircraft before I found your channel.
Ed does have a knack of finding these little gems to present to us.
@@bigblue6917
There are a metric ton of aircraft like this. Ya just gotta look hard enough.
@@bigblue6917 Humbling innit? 🙄
according to most of the pre-1989 Czechoslovak literature the reason for the fixed gear on the B-35 prototypes was the same as for using the weaker engine - the originally planned gear was simply not yet available and both the MoD and Avia were rather in a hurry for obvious reasons.
There’s a great interview with a Luftwaffe navigator who spent most of the war in Scotland and Canada in a pow camps. He described being attacked by a Hurricane witha French tricolour mini flag. Next op he got shot up by a hurri with a Polish mini flag. Shortly afterwards he was shot down by a hurricane with a Czech flag. His comments about this state of affairs were understandable.
Great vid. Never heard of this kite - which is exactly what I’m looking forward in this sort of channel.
I'm sure there's a Brexit joke in there somewhere.
It's almost like we have a rich history of providing transport for other nationalities to use. And in general we benefit when we freely allow them to do just that. If only there were a present day parallel...
@@benholroyd5221 lol:) Brexit is a joke. And that’s it. (Probably regret mentioning the ‘B’ word now:)
Luftwaffe navigator had to be frustrated, not knowing which occupied country to curse at! French, Poles, and Czechs were often the most highly motivated soldiers in the war. They had scores to settle.
@@jfan4reva Poles were arguably the best fighter pilots the R.A.F. had.
@@benholroyd5221 There is no brexit joke, British people completely lost their humor after brexit. 😀
A factual comment: Avia was not "inherited" by the Czechoslovakia at the moment of its foundation in 1918. The factory was set up in 1919 by the private capital to take advantage of expected government demand for new military and civilian airplanes.
There was no aviation industry on the territory of new republic before 1918.
Another aircraft manufacturer (Aero of postwar L-39 fame) was founded at the same time and both companies competed for government and civilian contracts in the 1920s and 1930s.
Btw, Avia(as Aero) still exists till this day. It ceased to produce aircraft in 1950s(last aircraft built was licensed Ilyushin Il-14). It produced vans and today it produces engines for trucks.
And watches I think? Had an Avia Polar Star back in the 1990's....
@@rogerkay8603 not Czech Avia.... its quite a catchy name so I guess there are other non-related "Avia"s around the world
@@letecmig Thanks mate
Rather transmissions then engines, isnt that?
Thanks, I was about to comment on that, but you did it better. Buď zdráv, Letče!
Well done Ed! Your feature on the B-135 is highly informative. This aircraft is one of the very Czechoslovakian "could have beens". May I just add that the Hispano-Suiza HS12 Ycrs engine (also Ydrs minus the 20mm cannon) was built in Czechoslovakia under licence, and to high standard. With the same power as the Morane MS-406 (860bhp) the B-135 was considerably faster at 334mph top speed vs. 298mph for the MS-406.
Another great show. Thanks for bringing it to us.
The B534 has really nice lines for a biplane.
Right? Looks like a Spitfire biplane.
One I'll do one day properly
@@EdNashsMilitaryMatters And that's why I love your channel
Beautifull, looks straight out of a 1930s SF movie.
Same stage of fighter development as Hawker Fury
Every day a new candy! You're spoiling us, Ed! 👍🏻 A big thank you!
This particular airplane led me to the plastic models building 35 years ago. I was given a 1:72 kit of Avia B.35 prototype from Kovozávody Prostějov and then had built more than 50 such models. The kit is still available on the market (now Kopro branded) if anybody is intersted, and there is also B.135 available from RS Models.
Já ji stavel taky,kde ta léta jsou.... tu krabicku si pamatuju dodnes....
Here because I'm going through my stash to choose the next build, and found a neglected kp box kit of the B35
I think I will do this one as the prototype, with half bare metal fuselage, fabric tail, and wooden wings
There are several around in ebay, but the prices are getting nuts
Who’d have known, apart from the followers of this channel? Another great video about a forgotten aircraft.
More stuff I didn't know I didn't know! Great work, thanks Ed.
Nice looking little plane. The B3534 looks very Pitts.
I was born like Czechoslovak, so thank yuu for choosing this plane for video ;)
The biplane (534) smacks of the Fury I. Both have been favorites for a long time.
Many thanx Ed! 👍👍
Czech's had talent, if events played out different the Avia B.135 could have been a champ.
Czech’s made some great guns too, I’m fascinated by the Czech, they have a very interesting history and culture. They’ve just had the miss fortune to be stuck between great powers.
Czech’s made some great guns too, I’m fascinated by the Czech, they have a very interesting history and culture. They’ve just had the miss fortune to be stuck between great powers.
@@rooseveltbrentwood9654 Yes, we Czechs are a skilled nation. We just have bad luck with the Allies. For example, France and Britain in 1938-1939. Who threw us overboard in the belief that he would be saved from Adolf.
Then our "brothers" who came to "liberate" us in 1968. And so we could go on ....... Now we are a broken nation that no longer has its own industry because everything was bought by foreign companies. Mostly German ...... Irony, right?Otherwise we say: Golden Czech hands
Another great vid of a lesser known aircraft!
I really like this 'little fighter that could', and built the one flown by Jordan Ferdinandov, who made the single recorded kill, in 1/72 scale.
I’m surprised someone made a kit for such an obscure aircraft. I checked out your channel, you do some beautiful work. I wish I had that kind talent and patience. All of my models look quite bad, but I still get a kick out of them.
The Czech really had some good ideas for weapons. The tanks, the planes... Imagine if they had a chance to build an army.
Great video!
The last version looked like a classic old days race plane, with its extremely low canopy and looong sleek lines.
Ed nails another very educational and interesting ' who would have thought it!!!' episode. Nice one tough guy 😁
It always makes me angry hearing about the Munich agreement
Confirmed. Ed has an actual "bag of holding" in the bottom of a hat, and it's *full* of rabbits. All we can do is sit back and see what else pops up...
Very well said, Luke! This site is amazing!
Sadly, lots of inaccuracies in the video. And mean, a lot! The B.135 was not produced in Bulgaria not because some perceived "inability of Bulgarian factories" (a myth that, perplexingly, continues to persist in Czech and the rare English publication) but because engines beyond the initial dozen, and no 20mm guns, were never delivered. Worse, the initial batch was apparently sabotaged in Czechia and sprayed with acid, so the frames were corroded. This was kept secret from the Germans to avoid repressions against the Czech, one of the reasons why this is apparently entirely ignored in foreign publications (or videos). The corroded frames were rebuilt already weakened and stress limits were imposed, and with only two 7.9mm MGs and a weak engine, the Avias were deemed for combat duty and relegated to trainers.
The sole combat flight on March 30th 1944 went quite different than what you described, Ed. Sofia was the target of a massed 15th USAAF heavies, three waves of over 150 planes each. As previous raids were always composed of two waves, after the second 2/6 and 3/6 orlayks defending the capital landed for rest, rearm and refuel, while AA crews stood down. This was when the third wave, for some reason unreported by German Freya radars, came in.
The four Avias were the personal, all-times ready mounts of four of the flight instructors at Dolna Mitropolia AF. They purposely took off and engaged about 140 B-24s, being alone without any support, with advanced trainers, armed with only two light MGs each. One bomber was downed for no losses by Kapitan (Captain) Krastio Atanasov and Poruchik (Lieutenant) Yordan Ferdinandov.
In fact, I am currently building a scale model of Ferdinandov's White 5. I appreciate the effort in the video, Ed but it's full of errors and sadly, doesn't represent an event that's rightly considered one the most heroic moments of Bulgarian aviation during the darkest period of the Allied bombing campaign.
Great Content! Generally unknown A/C types . I have a czech 1:72 model kit of the B 35. 'If only...' the development had begun a few yrs earlier- like so many of the French -'not quite in time"-( and not enough numbers) designs or the Pzl 'Jaztreb prototype.
I have that KP kit also!
I have the propeller of one of those B135 planes, which my grandpa gave me in the late 70s, I forgot the old propeller in my mom's house for over 25 years but I am planning to pick it up now.
Another unknown to me.
Thank you, Ed.
So, this fighter can honestly say that it was invincible in air-to-air combat.
😉
☮
That B.534 is a good looking biplane
Love the subjects normally lost to history!! Well done!
Following the Munich Agreement in 1938, Czechoslovakia was occupied by nazi Germany, Hungary and Poland. People tend to forget that Hungary and Poland were also part of that shameful event. Other than that, great video as always.
And who took over ruthenia?
@@MS-gr2nv That would be Martians.
And yet another aircraft I didn't even know existed. Amazing how many aircraft were made in the short 100ish years of aviation
Thank you for the informative video! Your content is very well produced and engaging.
This is a truly heartwarming story !
Well this isn’t going to help me get back to sleep. Oh well, I only have to go to work in the morning.
535 kph with only 860 hp?
As can be seen by its sleek lines, this aircraft is an aerodynamic marvel, much faster than most French fighter planes with the same engine.
Great engineers the Czechs, greatest two stroke motorcycle engine designers also.
Thanks Ed .. nice and informative
It's extremely remarkable how fast it was with 860 hp!
Thanks Ed. Another aircraft brought out from the mists of time. It would have been interesting to have seen the B-534 as a monoplane with a retractable undercarriage. It would have been rather racy and it does look somewhat like the Hawker Hurricane with a longer nose.
Are you generally planning on obscure/rare A/C types? Would be great to see your review of the French Bloch MB 152/55 series of fighters,and Definatly the Arsenal VG 33 series. Also the twin engine light attack bombers from Breguet and Potez.
Another fine addition to my wishlist for Warthunder.
That is one beautiful airplane!!
It still seems so insane to have left Czechoslovakia to its fate. War should have been made on Germany then and there, they would have sued for peace quickly and had their war plans set back years, as the Czech military falling into Hitler's lap was perfect for upping his war plans on Poland. I doubt he could have invaded in 1939 without all those Czech weapons like tanks and artillery. Shameful period in Europe's history could have been avoided.
PS: You're one of the few non-German TH-camrs that says Luftwaffe anywhere near correctly its a nice gold star for your channel I think ;)
It's a very interesting question to ask - and the answer isn't quite as simple as 'appeasement', but concerns the state of the rearmament programme in the UK, the perception of German strength, plus France's defensive strategy... amongst many other factors. But an interesting why noy/what if all the same.
Somewhat ironically, shortly before the invasion, the Czechs offered Britain full equipment for an armoured division, tanks, all other vehicles, the lot, if Britain would say no to the German occupation of the Sudetenland. You don't get an offer like that everyday.
However, the problem remained; Britain had no more ability to go and pick up their freebee than they had to stop the Wehrmacht at that time.
Czechoslovakia was far more defendable than Poland & ironically when Cz fell, Poland was even more impossible to defend.
Hi Ed, what about making a video of the DH Hornet. That's kind of a Mosquito. A real shame it was only a "what if" plane
Err no. entered Squadron service in the RAF and Sea Hornets served with 801 Sn RNAS service, if only briefly
Looks like the prototype had a fixed pitch propeller and the production switched to at least some sort of variable pitch, so that would be a considerable upgrade even with only two blades. Would need more info to find out if it was constant speed or not.
AVIA měla v té době již zakoupenou licenci na Americké vrtule Hamilton .S okupací Německem je Američané již odmítli dodat. A údajně do dnes ani nevrátili peníze...
Great video, love it! I knew about this plane, but couldn't really find any details about it. You filled the gap in my 'education', thank you.
What about Avia S.199, the first Israeli fighter?
Is say the b135 is more beautifull than the Spitfire.
Somewhat similar to the evolution of the Hawker Hurricane except for the lack of a really good engine of adequate power.
The Soviets aquired the rights to the Hispano-Suiza engine and developed it as the Klimov 105 of around 1250hp used in the Yak-9. If they had the opportunity, the Avia might have had a similar evolution as the Soviet Yak fighters.
Sadly the only Avias you see today are in museums...and they used to be on the roads: Avia lorries were ubiquitous during the socialist era and they sort of remained a decade or two afterwards. The joke went: "Avia is the fastest vehicle on Czech roads: Always leading the traffic jam!"
Nice video of an interesting aircraft. Shame it was never fully developed with a bit stronger engine and armament, good looking reminds me of the early LaGGs.
That B 534 looks an awful lot like a Pitts Special - An unmatched aerobatic competitor in the post war era for quite a while
Another good design who's potential could not be realized. Thanks Ed.
The often forgotten Douglas DC-5 might be a cool story Ed??
Glad you covered this one, Ed! I'd heard of it, and long wondered why more weren't produced for Axis allies - now I know, thank you!
Bravo, or BZ, Mr. Nash. I very much appreciate your illumination of the subject matters you provide; not just the forgotten aircraft, but the contemporary subjects as well. I will look to support you on patreon. Do you have another support option as well?
How would the Avia B.135 be compared to its contemporaries? Would it had made any difference if Czechoslovakia actually fought off the German annexation?
Nobody will ever know as Avia B135 saw very little use(therefore little information how it compared to, say early Bf109) and saw no further development after March 1939...... But you can speculate.... like what if Brits provided license of RR Merlin etc:):)
Another great subject. I knew about this bird, and the single shoot-down, but it is great to see your story anyway! Aviation arcana!
“Dove”…….”Dove”!!!!!! Told you this would happen!!
France and Great Britain were foolish and cowardly to allow Nazi Germany to just walk into Czechoslovakia. Hitler would backed down if the Czechs had some military and moral support . Did they not consider how much stronger Germany would be with the Czech armament producing for them now?
Well ..... or the Germans would bloody their nose in short war against Czechoslovakia, Britain and France in October 1938 in which they would inevitably conquered Czechoslovak borderlands and then all would agree to ceasefire and later the peace treaty. Therefore no WW2 would happen and Czechoslovakia would remain in 'post cease-fire borders'(= 'post-Munich' borders) till this day
Notice the wings appear to not have dihedral. Fighters don’t have much to begin with, but none?
What about a video about Count von Rosen and his air raid using Malmo MFI planes?
Any relation to the ME9?
Please make a video of IK-3 fighter plane of the Yugoslav Royal Airforce. I think it was a rather modern plane for it's time.
I think he did
Milan
Gorgeous little ship
Since you dove into Eastern European equipment, maybe you should do one on PZL 37. The PZL constructor had a number of very interesting and promising designs before WW2 started, some of them actually used.
There are a number of Polish aircraft I want to cover sooner rather than later :)
The B534 kinda reminds me of a Christian Eagle or Pitts Special. Just not as refined. Gorgeous airplane though. I'd love to get my hands on the drawings and build one. That would turn some heads at Oshkosh or Sun 'n Fun.
And yeah. Chamberlain did screw the checzk's over hard and without even a dinner out first.
the Avia S-199 could be an interesting plane to cover - a combination of a Bf-109G airframe and a Jumo 211 bomber engine built in Czechoslovakia after the war that apparently handled like a dog; flown in combat by the Israelis in the first Arab war, who managed to score victories in them, incl. Egyptian Spitfire Mk.IXs. Many people have heard about the Buchón, not many have about this one.
That and the Spanish "pigeon" are on the to-do list.
Please listen to this on half speed
02:53 - Spitfire type undercarriage? Or Bf 109?
I guees the undercarriage system was Mercier.
Video on the fairey gannet soon?
It's gorgeous!
Always liked this wee plane!
I think I had a model of this one some 30 years ago...
looks similar to the Heinkel 112 in many ways
Perhabs next episode the He112?
Question, how did they get the canon to fire through the propeller hub, without inverting the V12 engine, as the Germans did? (using a gear drive to the prop shaft.)
The Swiss upgraded the licence built Hispano Suiza to more than 1000HP during the war
The Czech were the first to push the HS to 1000 hp and only the German occupation prevented them from being the first to put a 1000 hp HS engine into mass production.
In the USSR, Klimov manufactured the original HS design as the M-100 and heavily modified it during the war for more power output. While still using a modified HS block, Klimov designed completely new cylinder heads, new valves, new supercharger and new reduction gears and modified many more parts. Most Klimov production engines ranged from 1100-1300 hp with prototypes up to 1850.
The famous Sowjet diesel tank engine first used in the T-34 (600 hp during the war, well over 1000 hp turbocharged later) also based on the HS engine. While having no interchangable parts, the overall layout and dimensions are the same.
The American Allison V-1770 (up to 1600 hp during the war, 1850 postwar) also has remarkibly similar dimensions to the HS engine. Even though not being a direct copy and not having interchangable parts, the "all American" V-12 was heavily inspired by HS. The Allison even shares the same attachment points.
I almost forgot. The identical attachment points were and still are very useful. The Finish AF reengined some of its Morane fighters with captured Klimov engines, the Sowjets reengined some P-39 with Klimovs and today's airworthy Yaks fly with Allisons.
@@Itsjustme-Justme Interesting, the swiss licence built the Morane Fighters and improved the HS for this and the C36 attack plane
@@Itsjustme-Justme v2 was russian development of aerodiesels...
@@Itsjustme-JustmeKořistní motory HS a Klimov se v době války generálkovali v Avii mimo jiné i pro Finské letectvo
Since you've dipped into Czechoslovak aviation, will you cover Aero L-39 Albatros? A hugely successful jet trainer, a sort of "BAE Hawk of the Eastern Bloc", which was later developed into L-159 Alca, a light attack aircraft, currently in service of the Army of the Czech republic.
Oh, one day, never fear 😁
@@EdNashsMilitaryMatters Nice! Will be looking forward to it.
A great plane,
if it was'nt for the new "Management"
That's a cool looking plane
From some angles the B.135 resembles those '30s French Caudron racers.
This is the plane that attacked Indiana Jones and his father in the last crusade. I always wondered where it came from
No. It was pilatus p2
Thanks for the history lesson. I had only known about the German's fondness for Škoda tanks and V8 motorcars. (the famed Nazi killer)
Looks like a spitfire , hurricane, P-40........
How remarkable, I have never encountered any reports on the Ploesti raid, involving anything other than flak. Perhaps they left very little impression on the crews?
Smashing post.
cockpit reminds me of the Hawker Tornado or early Typhoon. Tail reminds me of Hurricane. Wings and landing gear look almost like they came off a Spitfire. Engine jowl clearly looks like a Tornado, Typhoon, or Tempest.
Typhoon/spitfire hybrid in looks
Through some Hureicane in the nose .
It looks like Hawker Typhoon!
Please note Hispano-Suiza is pronounced Hispano-Sweeza.
It looks like the back end of a Hurricane, front end of Martin-Baker.
Boy, you sure said everything that needed to be said, about Czechoslovakia in your intro. A small country which established not just industries, but premier industries, many of which continue to this day. I am saying that as a son of Hungarian immigrants in Australia.
Keep me informed, in my woeful ignorance, please.
Ps.. ten seconds in, did you really say "The Ottoman and Australian empires were broken up"?
Next warthunder nation confirmed?
Hispano Suusie engine: Suiza, pronounced sueesa. Greetings from Susie, aka Switzerland.
2:45 thing looks an awful lot like a mashup between a spitfire (wing & landing gear) and a hurricane (tail)
Could it be that Supermarine copied some parts and Hawker copied others?
I don't want to be "that guy" but.... It is Hispano-Suiza, there is an "I" in Suiza, not suza.
You know... Lik in Switzerland...
Bulgarian One-bomber killer…
Why is there a picture of Naval guns to illustrate Czechoslovakias inherited industry? The only thing less likely than a Czech navy would surely be Germany / Austria Hungary basing their naval industry not near the sea?!
Because Skoda Plzen(Pilsner) in Czechia used to produce all the naval guns for the Austro-Hungarian Navy before 1918
@@letecmig well I can see an artillery manufacturer being inland. But building that into a turret inland? How do you move those things?
@@benholroyd5221 Guns were produced by Skoda Plzen, 100%. Turrets, no idea.(may be Skoda, may be others).
But the turrets do not require as precise manufacturing as guns, so they might have been produced closer to the coast which would be logical.
On the other hand, if turrets can't be produced just next to the ships, what difference it makes if they need to be transported by rail 10km or 1000km?
@@letecmig well rail guns were naval guns and they seem to be pushing the limits of what you can fit on a railway car. The though of doubling or tripling up. Plus inches (feet) and tons of armour.
Maybe smaller turrets?
@@benholroyd5221 The Skoda was basically the only gun manufacturer in Austria-Hungary capable of producing such guns. Plus the areas close to the Adriatic coast of Austria-Hungary were basically industry-free. So the Austria-Hungary had little choice than to get those guns there from Plzen by rail. Alternative would be to get the guns from Czechia to the German north coast on river boats and from there by the naval ships. Not really sure. But the guns were made by Skoda, that is for sure.