Introducing the Avia 51

[Rallymodeller]

With the Avia 56 coming around the 3-4 turns, I am back doing the "heavy lifting" on the Avia 57, the last in the Avia Projects series.

The Av-57 was to be a 14 passenger, 2 pilot commercial aircraft built to compete for traffic with the DC-2 in the mid-30's. This was the last of the Robert Nebesar designs as far as we can determine. The prototype was constructed and had 27 test flights performing well in all tests as did the Avia 156 with 30 flights.

However, all hope for the two prototypes ended fatally April 15, 1935. Both prototypes took off for test flights, one after the other, and somewhere north of Kbely airport, the tragic event took place. First, the 156 lost part of a wing, then the tail, and in a spin lost the balance of the wing crashing near the village of Polerady. Within 7 minutes the Avia 57 fell to the ground after the wing and tail separated in a spin. All pilots and technicians aboard lost their lives. As no one witnessed the event, the most likely cause was a mid-air collision.

The loss of the prototypes and the investigation that followed questioning the structural integrity of the designs threw a shadow over the Avia company and the design team of Dr. Ing. Nebesar.

This beautiful Avia 57 aircraft will fly again in FS9 along with the Av-51, Av-156, and the Av-56 in honor of the Avia Company and Dr. Ing. Nebesar.

Wow -- wonder if Fiat was engaged in a little corporate espionage with the G.12?

[Milton Shupe]

Probably not necessary as its first flight was in 1940. The Avia 57 flew in 1935. Both were 14 passenger initially, although with time, the G-12 had access to better, larger engines and eventually became a 18 and 22 passenger carrier as well as long range transports. It did inspire the G-212 the last of the Italian 3-engine commercial aircraft.

[Milton Shupe]

Avia 57 WIP today ... fuselage, wings, tail, gear, flaps, interior floor, panels etc. coming along.

[Sunny9850]

Simply stunning what you mold out of thin air sir.

Cheers
Stefan

[Milton Shupe]

Simply stunning what you mold out of thin air sir.

Cheers
Stefan

Thank you sir; I often wonder how I do this myself ...

Wrapping up the major components on the exterior model and molding the new flight model into shape, and caught this screen shot and decided it would be appropriate in black and white and edged. Makes a nice Desktop Background.

[Blackbird686]

Looking good Milton I'll be following this one closely. :salute: Just look at thos big tires! Wonder how she'd do as a bush flyer.... taking people in and out of Africa on safari trips!

BB686:USA-flag:

[Milton Shupe]

Looking good Milton I'll be following this one closely. :salute: Just look at thos big tires! Wonder how she'd do as a bush flyer.... taking people in and out of Africa on safari trips!

BB686:USA-flag:

Thanks BB. I was a bit surprised by the size of the wheels and tires myself, very deceiving. 1500 x 300 mm or 59" inches by 11.8".

[Sunny9850]

I think the big wheels are serving two design criteria here, relatively unprepared fields of the day which likely mostly consisted of grass runways and the large diameter raises the nose high for a good angle of attack for the wings on takeoff and ground clearance for the props without requiring long landing gear arms.

Cheers
Stefan

[Milton Shupe]

Thanks to Hurricane91 and Tomas for the data and translations.

Avia Av-57

The fuselage was all-metal construction. Eight main longerons were shape as first picture in the text. Main longerons carried loads from wings and undercariage. The others longerons were shape 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 equiped by flettners and fitted with ball bearings.

Pilot's cabin was enterable thru the door from passenger's cabin.
The windshild was made of shatter-proof glass. Side windows were 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. Rectraction 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 by 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-ait 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 lenght...........................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.........................................dire ct (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............................................1 600 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........................................560 0 m
Operative ceiling.........................................50 00 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

************************************************** **********************************

[Rallymodeller]

I think the big wheels are serving two design criteria here, relatively unprepared fields of the day which likely mostly consisted of grass runways and the large diameter raises the nose high for a good angle of attack for the wings on takeoff and ground clearance for the props without requiring long landing gear arms.

Cheers
Stefan

Some prewar French trimotors (I'm thinking Dewoitine D.333 and D.338, and Couzinet 70) had a similar giant wheel thing happening. Having big, bouncy tires also lowers the complexity requirement of the landing gear, as the tire itself does a lot of the shock-absorbing action.

[Milton Shupe]

I couldn't help but go in for a closer look .... Man!

[nigel richards]

Thanks to Hurricane91 and Tomas for the data and translations.

Avia Av-57

The fuselage was all-metal construction. Eight main longerons were shape as first picture in the text. Main longerons carried loads from wings and undercariage. The others longerons were shape 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 equiped by flettners and fitted with ball bearings.

Pilot's cabin was enterable thru the door from passenger's cabin.
The windshild was made of shatter-proof glass. Side windows were opened.
Yippee! Wind sound!
Left pilot's seat was adjustable up-down.
Oops!
Pilot on the right seat operated radio station.
Jack-of-all-trades...does he play harmonica on longow tripow? (sounds...!)
There was an emergency exit on the cabin ceiling.
Reserved!...If Matt's flying - I'm outta here!
Wheel controls were dual. Pedal controls were adjustable.
Now I can pretend I'm actually flying.

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).
Psussssssh! (New brake wav...just like the Antonov An-2)
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.
Had me worried there for a sec.

Main undercarriage had oleo-pneumatic shock absorber. Rectraction was operated by hydraulic hoist.
Undercarriage has been extended by its own weight and pushed by air pistons and cables.
Psssffuuussssh! (More cockpit sounds)
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.
Soft, gentle skid sounds.

The passenger cab was upholstered by waterproof fabric. The upholstery was added by some polished material in upper and lower parts.
The sounds could be embarressing...Milton?
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.
Gentle interior air flow sound, scarcely perceptable, but there.
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.
Barely audible from the cockpit.
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.
The 'third' (mine) already mentioned above...I think!

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-ait treatment box, tool kit.

Engine assembly consisted of three Hispano Suiza 9V engines (license of Wright Cyclone 1820-1).
Now yer talkin 'turkey' Milton, Sir!!!
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.
Not enough to drown out the din from those big radials...Heh, heh.
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 lenght...........................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)
NOISE x 3...Heaven!
Drive.........................................dire ct (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............................................1 600 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
Yeaaaaaah! (lads in the engine 'shop reckon they can squeeze a couple o' hundred horses from each if you want a souped up version...


...alright Sir, you don't want a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _souped up version, just thought I'd mention it (sorry).

Performance
Maximum speed: 300 km/h (190 mph; 160 kn); 330km/h (205mph at 5000')
Catch - me - if - you can!
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
(Dingbat!)
Maximum ceiling........................................560 0 m
Operative ceiling.........................................50 00 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

************************************************** **********************************

Signed the dotted line - she's in the workshop!

[Blackbird686]

Quick!! Snatch that bottle of ouzo away from Nigel... :isadizzy: He's starting to get outta' hand.

BB686:USA-flag:

[Milton Shupe]

Today I packaged up the 7 aircraft and sent her out for tests.

Wheels, Amphibs, Floats, and Skis ... pretty much something for everybody, taildraggers and front steering, land and water, snow and ice.

And if you like radials, you should love this package. If you like radial sounds, this one is certainly the best of Nigel's studios (so far). :-)

Did I mention the textures are awesome? :-)

If you like subtle Desktop Backgrounds, I offer this ...

[Matt Wynn]

wait why does Nigel want to exit the plane if i'm fl..... oh i get it... this is all because he left his hangar open at both ends and i flew through at about 4ft and blew the glass out of the windows....


really looking forwards to the -57, am drooling already in anticipation of getting the brushes to her we got any drawings or anything or is it best guesstimate for lines and Rivets? :salute:

[Milton Shupe]

I have a couple of pictures I will share once the mapping is done that will be somewhat useful. Thanks :-)

[dvj]

Attachment 61576

[binarkansas]

Today I packaged up the 7 aircraft and sent her out for tests.

Wheels, Amphibs, Floats, and Skis ... pretty much something for everybody, taildraggers and front steering, land and water, snow and ice.

And if you like radials, you should love this package. If you like radial sounds, this one is certainly the best of Nigel's studios (so far). :-)

Did I mention the textures are awesome? :-)

If you like subtle Desktop Backgrounds, I offer this ...

Great news. Anxiously awaiting the radial version.

[Milton Shupe]

Attachment 61576

You are welcome dvj. I do enjoy building the products that the team puts out. The Avia 51 on floats turned out rather nice, even "suweet!"

Great news. Anxiously awaiting the radial version.

The Avia 56 is a special tribute to the designs of Robert Nebesar. Although this model did not get completely built by Avia due to engine issues, it had the potential to become a very nice aircraft. When you fire this one up, be ready for a *big grin* and experience of life's greatest mechanical and prop sounds available to us. You may wear out the starter repeating this awesome series of sounds. Nigel outdid himself on this one.

And not just on sounds, the paints will keep rivet counters busy for a very long time. Nigel went into hiding to get these paint schemes detailed. Awesome work!

And we can thank Matt for the Alaskan series schemes, Oleboy for the engine graphics, and Lionheart again for the pilot figures.

Of course all this would not have come about were it not for Moses03, Hurricane91, and some flight sim Czech Republic connections and supporters. They worked hard to uncover Avia materials that brought realism to the projects. This is how I recognized them in the Readme.txt:

"Technical/Consulting: Moses03, Michal Beran, Tomáš Rusek - consultant, John Smith (Hurricane91) - research assistance - metric panel repaint, Michal Plavec - Curator of the Aviation Collection National Technical Museum, Prague, R. Berger, Karel Kriz - Newspaper and poster materials"


Here are but a few examples of the many combinations of aircraft models, and paints included.

[Milton Shupe]

I just put these pages up on my website as an alternate reference and download site:

Avia 56: http://www.flightsimonline.com/Avia56/ (Download not available until after the beta)

Avia 51: http://www.flightsimonline.com/Avia51/

[dvj]

I just put these pages up on my website as an alternate reference and download site:

Avia 56: http://www.flightsimonline.com/Avia56/ (Download not available until after the beta)

Avia 51: http://www.flightsimonline.com/Avia51/

Hi Milton,

The Avia 51 Spanish Civil War Scheme by Nigel Richards did not come across in the download.

dvj

[Milton Shupe]

Well, I just downloaded it, and it is in mine.

Are you looking for TA-003?

[dvj]

Well, I just downloaded it, and it is in mine.

Are you looking for TA-003?

yes, this was the FSX download. Also the control yokes are missing from the VC. All the guages are there and functional. Very weird.

[Milton Shupe]

yes, this was the FSX download. Also the control yokes are missing from the VC. All the guages are there and functional. Very weird.

The yokes are visible by activating the spoiler command.

[dvj]

The yokes are visible by activating the spoiler command.

I totally missed that. Thanks! flying right now. Opps... there they are.