Introducing the Avia 51

[Milton Shupe]

Milton, would you interpret the cabin of 5 as separately divided from the pilot by any chance?

This material laid in almost black surrounds could make a for very handsome panel background;

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-5324...d-texture.html

I have used a similar texture for the floors on a temporary basis. I doubt that the panel was wooden.

The cockpit was divided from the cabin with a door access.

"A door in the front wall of the cabin communicates

with the pilots' cockpit, which has two seats side by side.The chief pilot occupies the left seat, while the secondpilot, who is also the radio operator, occupies the rightseat. The windscreen is of non-splintering glass, and theside windows can be opened. View upward is afforded bythe cockpit skylight, but to the back the view is cutoff, and a mirror is so fitted that the pilot can see in it

what is behind the machine."


Also meant to post this passenger layout earlier.

Also note the shape of the cockpit overhead windows (likely more accurate than the previous one I posted).

[Milton Shupe]

I did this temporary interior texture to get rid of the template colors and match with the real world exterior paint scheme developed by Avia.

Seats are temporary for now, but may use with light mods later.

Once we have some design ideas, I will proceed with modeling.

[Milton Shupe]

Another design point of reference is the attached done by Urs Burkhardt for the our Spartan Executive and Beech 18, both 30's design products.

Of course the Beech 18 interior is now a bit dated and worn. :-)

[OleBoy]

Adding the little details



Full on

[Hurricane91]

The textures by OleBoy and Matt Wynn are terrific and set off the beautiful form of these aircraft. Great artwork!

I am still hopeful that some interior shots will be made available from Czech sources, but if not, we can probably get close.

From what I have read, great hopes went into these aircraft. Each were hand-built with great attention to detail. I agree that the intended clientele were wealthy travelers and this would be reflected in the interior appointments.
My guess on the passenger cabin is based on the description of the flooring, and the assumption that Czech decor of the period was conservative and somewhat muted.
For the floor, walnut may have been chosen for it's durability and lighter weight than other hardwoods. Since it was inlaid, some of the aluminum floor structure would be visible. The wood may have extended up the sides of the cabin wall a foot or so to prevent scuffing.
The airline would have specified leather seating for durability. Rather than black, they may have had a dark oxblood finish. The fore and aft bulkhads would also have been leather padded to protect passengers in turbulent weather. Lever type door latches would be recessed.
A dome light or two would provide general lighting, with a separate lamp for each seat. Cabin windows would be provided with opaque shades or curtains.
Pictured below is the "smoking salon" of the He-111C with club seating arrangement. The Czech version would not have been as austere.

Attachment 53241

[Milton Shupe]

Adding the little details



Full on

Beautifully done Oleboy

[Milton Shupe]

The textures by OleBoy and Matt Wynn are terrific and set off the beautiful form of these aircraft. Great artwork!

I am still hopeful that some interior shots will be made available from Czech sources, but if not, we can probably get close.

From what I have read, great hopes went into these aircraft. Each were hand-built with great attention to detail. I agree that the intended clientele were wealthy travelers and this would be reflected in the interior appointments.
My guess on the passenger cabin is based on the description of the flooring, and the assumption that Czech decor of the period was conservative and somewhat muted.
For the floor, walnut may have been chosen for it's durability and lighter weight than other hardwoods. Since it was inlaid, some of the aluminum floor structure would be visible. The wood may have extended up the sides of the cabin wall a foot or so to prevent scuffing.
The airline would have specified leather seating for durability. Rather than black, they may have had a dark oxblood finish. The fore and aft bulkhads would also have been leather padded to protect passengers in turbulent weather. Lever type door latches would be recessed.
A dome light or two would provide general lighting, with a separate lamp for each seat. Cabin windows would be provided with opaque shades or curtains.
Pictured below is the "smoking salon" of the He-111C with club seating arrangement. The Czech version would not have been as austere.

Attachment 53241

Excellent observations and thoughts Sir. Love the picture as a standard above which we shall strive.

Looks like lamps, dome lights and a side table may be possible too.

I will have to do light maps for the interior to show off the details at night.

Interior walls were 4'11" apart. Fortunately, most people of the era were much slimmer than we are today.

The cabin depicted in the picture appears to be at least 5'6".

[Hurricane91]

As for the cockpit, the door might have had a small window, and there is room for stowage area between the bulkhead and pilots seats.
I do not think the cockpit would be nearly as sumptuous as the passenger cabin. Black leather seats and some sound insulation covered in gray cloth. After all, these were comercial aircraft and the crew were employees.

The instrument panels in small European airliners of of the period seem to have been laid out similar to the Lufthansa Heinkel, but not often as logical. The pilot's side haveing most of the flight instuments. The co-pilot mans the radios and monitors the engines. He may take over for the pilot for short periods.
Primary engine controls, tachs, manifold pressure gauges and mag switches in the center. Secondary engine instruments, oil temp/pressure, cht, etc. and radios on the right.

Just guessing.

Attachment 53242

[Milton Shupe]

More great observations, Thank you

[OleBoy]

I like reading your analogy of how you envision what we're trying to re-create, Hurricane. I can almost close my eyes and picture the craft inside. Of course the pictures do help!

[Hurricane91]

Sorry guys, I get carried away sometimes.
Some aspects of the DC-2 shot that Matt posted, combined with Miltons temp textures would fit nicely.

[Sunny9850]

My friend Joe has a beautiful....immaculate, prize winning Stinson SR-7 Reliant and while I always tell him given the choice I'd take his C-195 rather than the Stinson, it is one of the most luxuriously appointed "General Aviation" airplanes I have ever had the pleasure to be in. Now the SR-7 was more like the Spartan a personal transport type aircraft and not an airline type.
If what I read online is accurate the Avia 51 actually did some scheduled service flights so it may have been toned down just a tad bit.

If you think it is useful I will get some pictures of the SRs interior next saturday when I am back out at the airport.

Cheers
Stefan

[Milton Shupe]

Stefan,

Thank you. I think that unless I get actual documents from the folks in the Czech Republic, I will base the interior and cockpit around comments stated above. I am going to give some time yet to see if other things materialize.

[nigel richards]

As for the cockpit, the door might have had a small window, and there is room for stowage area between the bulkhead and pilots seats.
I do not think the cockpit would be nearly as sumptuous as the passenger cabin. Black leather seats and some sound insulation covered in gray cloth. After all, these were comercial aircraft and the crew were employees.

The instrument panels in small European airliners of of the period seem to have been laid out similar to the Lufthansa Heinkel, but not often as logical. The pilot's side haveing most of the flight instuments. The co-pilot mans the radios and monitors the engines. He may take over for the pilot for short periods.
Primary engine controls, tachs, manifold pressure gauges and mag switches in the center. Secondary engine instruments, oil temp/pressure, cht, etc. and radios on the right.

Just guessing.

Attachment 53242

H, Brilliant! For me this would be the right direction to go on panel design.

The two great advantages on this ship?

1. Semi circular panel top harmonious with nose cowling.

2, L/hand pilot's seat; goodbye to the Trimotor's annoying framework blotting out the runway on finals.

[Hurricane91]

Thank you Nigel, but I'm still just guessing.

I can report that some promising leads have developed. A member at Flightsim.CZ has passed my requests for interior photos to a friend who works at Avia. The friend knows a former Avia emploee who is interested in pre-war Avia aircraft and has forwarded the requests to him. Cross your fingers.