Introducing the Avia 51

Some Avia 57 Interesting Data

Avia Av-57 (Translated)

The fuselage was all-metal construction. Eight main longerons were shaped as first picture in the text. Main longerons carried loads from wings and undercariage. The others longerons were shaped as second picture in the text. Eleven bulkheads were riveted, the others were made from profiles of shape in third picture.

Tail surfaces were all-metal costruction. The frame was made from opened dural profiles. Stabilizer was adjustable during flight. Control surfaces were equipped by flettners and fitted with ball bearings.

Pilot's cabin was enterable thru the door from passenger's cabin.
The windshield was made of shatter-proof glass. Side windows could be opened.
Left pilot's seat was adjustable up-down.
Pilot on the right seat operated radio station.
There was an emergency exit on the cabin ceiling.
Wheel controls were dual. Pedal controls were adjustable.

Compressed air brakes was controlled by lever on the steering wheel together with pedal controls (see the photo of A-204, which I sent you earlier - it's the same system).
Stabilizer was controlled by stabilizer control wheel. Two flettner control wheels were placed on rear wall of the cab.
Throttle levers and setting of fuel mixture were under dashboard.
Flaps lever was under throttle levers.
Lever for retracting undercarriage was on the left side of the pilot. Emergency control of undercarriage extension was between pilot seats.

Main undercarriage had oleo-pneumatic shock absorber. Retraction was operated by hydraulic hoist.
Undercarriage has been extended by its own weight and pushed by air pistons and cables.
Size of main Wheels were 1500 x 300 mm. Tail weel was size 600 x 200 mm.
Tail wheel was also oleo-pneumatic shock absorber and full castoring.

The passenger cab was upholstered with waterproof fabric. The upholstery was added by some polished material in upper and lower parts.
Windows had a dimension 27 x 41 cm.
Passenger's seats had armrests and seat belts. There were twelve padded chairs and two folding seats in the cabin.
Air vent and heating were providing to each seat.
Over the passenger's seats there were nets for in-cabin baggage.
Some instruments were mounted in the passenger cabin. (They may have been indicators altimeter, airspeed indicator and real-time clock as in Aero A-204 - see the photo)
Dimension of the cabin was: 1,78 m height, 1,75 m width, 6 m lenght.
Entrance door was situated on the port side behind the wing.
Toilet with washroom was behind the passenger's cabin.
There were two emergency exits - the first was on the starboard in the rear and the second on the port side forward.

Baggage spaces there were placed under the pilot's cabin, behind the toilet and in the wing.
Capacity of rear baggage compartment was 2,3 m3, total capacity of all compartment was 4,14 m3.

Other equipment: navigation lights, two accumulators, radio station, hand-held fire extinguisher, first-aid treatment box, tool kit.

Engine assembly consisted of three Hispano Suiza 9V engines (license of Wright Cyclone 1820-1).
Airscrews Hamilton were in-flight adjustable.
Engine beds were welded of steel tubes and attached via four bolts.
The engines were covered with aerodynamic NACA cowlings and equipped by extinguishing system.
The overall volume of four fuel tanks was 1600 litres.
Each of the three oil tanks was volume 58 litres.
The fuel and oil tanks were welded of aluminium.

Dimensions:
Aircraft length...........................15,90 m
Aircraft height.............................4,45 m
Wing span................................22,50 m
Maximum width of the fuselage....1,90 m
Wing surface............................81,50 m2

Engines:
3 engines 575 KS.......................1725 KS (KS = HP)
Drive.........................................direct (without reducer)
Weight of engine with accessory..430 kg

Cargo capacity:
Crew (1 person and radio operator)...160 kg
12 passengers................................960 kg
Mail and baggage...........................300 kg
In-cabin baggage............................180 kg
Total............................................1600 kg

Fueling:
Petrol..........................1130 kg
Oil................................135 kg
General characteristics
Crew: 2
Capacity: 14
Length: 15.90 m (52 ft 2 in)
Wingspan: 22.50 m (73 ft 10 in)
Wing area: 81.5 m2 (877 sq ft)
Powerplant: 3 × Hispano-Suiza 9Vd radial piston engine, 429 kW (575 hp) each
R-1820-1

Performance
Maximum speed: 300 km/h (190 mph; 160 kn); 330km/h (205mph at 5000')
Cruising speed: 270 km/h (178 mph; 150 kn)
Range: 1,200 km (746 mi; 648 nmi)
Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,123 ft)

Special accessories:
Battery, radio................85 kg

Weights:
Weight of aircraft (with instruments, seats, wiring)......5600 kg
Cargo.....................................................................3000 kg
Take-off weight........................................................8600 kg

Minimal performances:
For standard air density CINA 1,225 kg/m3 and full load (CINA was precursor ICAO)
Maximum speed near ground........................330 km/h
Cruise speed near ground.............................280 km/h
Initial climbing.................................................6 m/s
Maximum ceiling........................................5600 m
Operative ceiling.........................................5000 m
Operative ceiling with two engines................2000 m
Flying range...............................................1200 km (745miles)
Climbing from 0 to 500 m...............................1' 8 min
Climbing from 500 to 1000 m..........................2' 2 min
Climbing from 1000 to 2000 m........................5' 2 min
Gliding when two engines are stopped................1:25
Take-off.......................................................200 m
Landing.......................................................200 m
 
After reading the data listed, it appears that the '57' was a solid airplane, to say the least, and that all of the available technology was implemented into its construction. Vents and heaters for each seat... Nothing was overlooked or ignored and passengers who could afford her luxury were given an exceptional flight experience for the time period. Those big tires, oleo-neumatic gear struts and slow gentle stall speeds most likely provided the softest possible landings for any airliner of its size.

BB686:USA-flag:
 
After reading the data listed, it appears that the '57' was a solid airplane, to say the least, and that all of the available technology was implemented into its construction. Vents and heaters for each seat... Nothing was overlooked or ignored and passengers who could afford her luxury were given an exceptional flight experience for the time period. Those big tires, oleo-neumatic gear struts and slow gentle stall speeds most likely provided the softest possible landings for any airliner of its size.

BB686:USA-flag:

I like your explanation and it seems to be right on. This aircraft is so smooth and gentle in all its phases of flight. Hopefully Nigel will have something to show us shortly on the textures. I know he is getting very close. :)
 
Lol! Nigel's making his own plans-I get by...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1S-Lhu4gFQ

Well Gentlemen - here's the story so far:

Still bags of room for those little extra details, blending, highlighting and just generally giving this most worthy subject the attention she really deserves.

Milton has created a spectacular model that just cries out for all we can give her.


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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1S-Lhu4gFQ

Well Gentlemen - here's the story so far:

Still bags of room for those little extra details, blending, highlighting and just generally giving this most worthy subject the attention she really deserves.

Milton has created a spectacular model that just cries out for all we can give her.


View attachment 72479 View attachment 72480 View attachment 72481
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Stunning work Nigel. :ernae: You have really done the '57' proud so far..... Beautiful texture work for a beautiful model.


BB686:USA-flag:
 
There has been some super serious work gone into this bird by Nigel in sounds and exterior/interior paint. She is a gem. It's a shame the real world version met with such a fate.
 
The wing fillet looks like the ones I used to draw when I was in grade school. Well, same vintage, so no surprise! :icon_lol:

- H52

LOL I can relate to that. There are a few people here that know we had to design this aircraft looking at 3 pictures originally. It went through many iterations with several people looking at results.

Fortunately we got a window measurement and was able to scale most things on the fuselage from that. Its one of the toughest things, and rather frustrating, that I have done. In the end it turned out well even with the complicated exit stairs and gear retraction mechanisms. Later, Hurricane91 came up with a few more pictures and that helped finalize the design.

The flight model came together well, the sounds, and now the textures are rockin'. It's great to see it come this far. Thanks to Hurricane91, Nigel, and Oleboy (in the beginning) for their support. Hurricane91's research and contacts were critical to all the Avia projects we have done. Nigel's work has been "top shelf" from the beginning. Thanks guys. :)
 
LOL I can relate to that. There are a few people here that know we had to design this aircraft looking at 3 pictures originally. It went through many iterations with several people looking at results.

Fortunately we got a window measurement and was able to scale most things on the fuselage from that. Its one of the toughest things, and rather frustrating, that I have done. In the end it turned out well even with the complicated exit stairs and gear retraction mechanisms.

The flight model came together well, the sounds, and now the textures are rockin'. It's great to see it come this far. Thanks to Hurricane91, Nigel, and Oleboy (in the beginning) for their support. Hurricane91's research and contacts were critical to all the Avia projects we have done. Nigel's work has been "top shelf" from the beginning. Thanks guys. : -)

Absolutely.

In fact I believe it's the very mystery that shrouds this unique aircraft that has served us to be that much more creative.

Even its disasterous crash is mysterious, the initial announcement indicating structural failure, but the fact that another Avia crashed within minutes in the same area casts a shadow of doubt on that hypothesis.

Hurricane91 pulled me out of the mud with excellent research work on Czech military markings for the period.
Many thanks Sir.

I fear a second variation of sounds has been devolped while working on the textures - more on that later.
 
In a bit of a flap, but its OK...


Getting into some enjoyable details on the inner flap/spoiler reccess, I've run some electrical wiring through there too - well it had to go somewhere.

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And while I'm there, and as none of the few photos we have clarify this:
Should I take the gamble and metal skin the underwing surfaces between the nacelles?

It seems to make sense.

I'd be grateful for some feedback Gentlemen. :kilroy:
 
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