Avia B-156

The Avia B‑156 was a low‑wing, single‑engine monoplane developed by the Czechoslovak manufacturer Avia in the late 1930s as a versatile trainer and light transport. Its design began in 1935, drawing on experience from the earlier B‑71 series, and the prototype took to the skies in April 1937. Powered by a 220 hp Walter Vega radial engine, the B‑156 featured an all‑metal semi‑monocoque fuselage, wooden wing ribs, and a fixed, split‑type undercarriage with aerodynamic spats. The cockpit accommodated two pilots side‑by‑side, while a rear cabin could seat two passengers or a trainee, giving the aircraft a total capacity of four. Flight characteristics were praised for their stability, gentle stall behavior, and modest take‑off run, attributes that made the B‑156 popular with the Czechoslovak Air Force’s pilot‑training schools and with civilian flying clubs.

Production ceased after only 54 units were built due to the outbreak of World War II, but the B‑156 left a lasting imprint on the region’s aeronautical development. It demonstrated the feasibility of modern, low‑cost trainers built with mixed construction methods, influencing post‑war designs such as the Avia C‑45. Its blend of practicality, handling ease, and modest performance secured the B‑156 a respected place in Central European aviation history.

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