Author Topic: Avia BH-3A (Aerodynamický)  (Read 2593 times)

Offline Frank3k

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Avia BH-3A (Aerodynamický)
« on: October 03, 2018, 08:06:54 AM »
The Avia BH-3 was a post WWI Czech fighter/trainer that saw service until 1927. The BH-3 looks pretty advanced for a 1921 vintage aircraft, even though it's service record was pretty undistinguished.

The Kopro kit of the BH-3 is nice (I have the Mastercraft boxing). The kit is marred by flash on some parts and (in my copy) some mold mismatch on some parts. Overall, it's been a quick and easy build. The landing gear wasn't fun to build; fiddly and with poor location markers. It also had that WWI look that wasn't appealing on such a streamlined kit. So I wondered, what if Avia decided to test some new aerodynamics before moving onto their B-34 and B-534 biplane fighters?

I had parts left over from my aborted build of the Mikromir Fanera-2, so I put them to use. I replaced the tail fin with half of the horizontal stabilizer from the Fanera-2 and replaced the landing gear with 3D printed spats I had made for the Fanera-2.

Here it is with the first coat of paint (it's going to be overall light green) and some of the engine parts in aluminum:



I moved the spats outward. I wanted to place them directly under the wing struts, but the prop would have been just a bit too close to the ground:



Front view:



Some spat porn for Brian:



Next is finishing up the detail painting, add some fiddly bits, wheels and decals.

Offline finsrin

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Re: Avia BH-3A (Aerodynamický)
« Reply #1 on: October 03, 2018, 04:11:07 PM »
Does look advanced for 1921.  Spats modern it some more. Nifty.  :smiley:

Offline Brian da Basher

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Re: Avia BH-3A (Aerodynamický)
« Reply #2 on: October 04, 2018, 05:19:03 AM »
Ohh I think I'm in love.
 :-* :-* :-*
My what lovely spats you have there!

Concur with my esteemed colleague. Looks perfectly futuristic for the era.

I'll be in my bunk.
 :-* :-* :-*
Brian da Basher

Offline Frank3k

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Re: Avia BH-3A (Aerodynamický)
« Reply #3 on: October 04, 2018, 08:06:36 AM »
I knew you'd like them, Brian!

They were pretty easy to print, and I gave them an Acetone vapor soak for 30 minutes to completely remove the printing artifacts. After I removed them from the soak, I let the plastic re-harden, then gave them a light sanding.

I noticed I hadn't seen the decal sheet. Went through the box, my messy work desk, under the desk, my pockets... no decal sheet. So I'm printing a set of Czech flags tomorrow.

Offline Frank3k

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Re: Avia BH-3A (Aerodynamický)
« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2018, 05:46:59 AM »
I think I'm done with this one. I'd read that the decals on this kit would disintegrate as soon as they touched water, so I applied two thick layers of Future... yet one of the Czech flag decals completely shattered. The wing decals barely managed to go on. Overall an OK kit with disappointing decals. I did make the codes on the side.







Offline finsrin

  • The Dr Frankenstein of the modelling world...when not hiding from SBA
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Re: Avia BH-3A (Aerodynamický)
« Reply #5 on: November 05, 2018, 06:22:30 AM »
Not aware of BH-3A (don't get around that much) until you posted.  Pioneer of post war monoplanes.
Am liking it.  Spats are real deal for BH-3A.  Good build, wouldn't change a thing.  :smiley:

Offline elmayerle

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Re: Avia BH-3A (Aerodynamický)
« Reply #6 on: November 05, 2018, 07:01:47 AM »
Very nice build of a unique aircraft.  I quite like the landing gear you fitted to it.

Offline Brian da Basher

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Re: Avia BH-3A (Aerodynamický)
« Reply #7 on: November 05, 2018, 10:04:28 AM »
I'd actually say that spats are ideal for any aircraft, but I realize this is a minority opinion.

They certainly looks great on your Avia Frank and you bring it all together so nicely.

I've built this kit and getting such a crisp result is no small feat.

The weathering seems just about perfect along with the rest of that magnificent paint work!

Oh and my what lovely spats you have there!
 :-* :-* :-*
Quite a stunner, Frank!

Brian da Basher

Offline apophenia

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Re: Avia BH-3A (Aerodynamický)
« Reply #8 on: November 06, 2018, 03:58:03 AM »
... an OK kit ...

Heh, heh ... Czech aircraft, get it?  ;D

I'd actually say that spats are ideal for any aircraft, but I realize this is a minority opinion...

A "minority opinion"?  Hah!  I challenge these aeronautical philistines to reveal themselves ... come out of your closets of aerodynamic orthodoxy if you dare!
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline Frank3k

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Re: Avia BH-3A (Aerodynamický)
« Reply #9 on: November 06, 2018, 05:57:43 AM »
Thanks guys!
I think the spats helped this kit - the original landing gear was just not that good looking.
Brian  - I can print you some spats. You know what they say... the first one's free!