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Introducing the Avia 51

Nice choice Milton! Another rare classic! I havent heard of this until now.

Must have been a good cruiser with three powerplants pulling her along.
 
Hurricane91 said:
It looks great Milton. I agree with Nigel that someone may step forward
in the event a beta of the aircraft is released.
Click to expand...

Thanks guys. I'll try to get a beta out of the Avia 156 by Friday. I have worked on the panel all day and this is version 3. I can't seem to find any aircraft of the early 30's with fuel gauges. If anyone is aware of such a thing, I will try to find something that works. The Vega and Comet do not seem to have them.
Not sure what else I am missing but the basics seem to be in place.

Lionheart said:
Nice choice Milton! Another rare classic! I havent heard of this until now.

Must have been a good cruiser with three powerplants pulling her along.
Click to expand...

The Avia 51 had a cruise speed of 142MPH and a max speed of 165MPH.
The Avia 156 cruised at 210MPH and had a max speed of 220MPH.

There were only 3 "51"s made, 2 lost in transport on a sunken ship to Spain during the Spanish civil war. The third unit in Spanish dress crashed into power lines it appears.
EDIT: This was later deemed false. All 3 aircraft made it to Spain, 1 was damaged beyond repair from bombing at an airport. The other two went on to serve until 1939 and were later scapped in 1941 due to lack of parts and condition.

The Avia 156 prototype crashed in testing making contact with its chase plane as I recall. All pilots and company employee passengers were killed.

EDIT: "Clarification: On April 12, 1935 after many test flights for each, both the Avia 156 (at 1342 hours) and 57 (at 1410 hours)took off for a joint test flight. Somewhere north of Kbely airport, the 156 crashed near the village of Polerady following an alleged destruction in flight. Within 7 minutes, the Avia 57 fell to the ground near the Vinor woods after a possible wing and tail separation from a spin." Some suspect a mid-air collision; others said that structure inadeqaute stiffness was likely the reason. However, both aircraft failing within minutes of each other makes that supposition unlikely unless they were both simultaneously testing spin responses (IMO).

These were stunning aircraft for the era, ahead of their time by a few years. The 51 was not economical with only 5 passenger seating and the 156 with 6 passengers, with a more efficient power arrangement may have been slightly better, but the other relative, the 14 passenger Avia 57 might have been. However, she never went to production as larger, more efficient larger capacity aircraft became available before she had a chance to prove herself.

Here is version 3 of the 156 panels.
 
Avia 156 in Metric Gauges

Since this is a Czech designed and built aircraft project, I have decided to provide both Metric and English panel versions for both aircraft.

Now, keep in mind I am not a panel designer but I have given this my best shot for the first version.

I welcome help from those more familiar with European ways of doing things for the 1930's era.

I have studied and gotten familiar with the KeDI gauge pack by Hauke Keitel and will also be able to use that for the Avia 51.

So, you will have both English and Metric versions available as aircraft selectable ready to fly.

Here is the first version of the panels with metric gauges. I have not yet found a cylinder head temp gauge yet but I will.

The popup 2D windows will also be from the same gauge collection.

Any feedback or input welcomed.
 
Milton Shupe said:
Here is the first version of the panels with metric gauges.
Click to expand...

Milton, that is pretty much what I would expect to see in the 156 if photos were available. I like the dual gauge set up for english and metric, and appreciate the flexibility that would allow one to set up a custom panel if desired.

There may not have been much time for sightseeing for those who worked in the right hand seat of an Avia 51. They certainly would have earned their pay monitoring three engines, the radios, helping the pilot, and minding the passengers.
 
Avia 156 Metric Panels

This is what I have settled on for now.

I'll send this to a few of you to check out the metric and non-metric panels, likely by Friday.

The first shot is the 2D panel, the second is the VC panels stepping back for a photo op.
 
Avia 51 Panels

Thanks guys.

I have been working all day on the Avia 51 panels and so far, this is what I have.

I am ready to start the metric based gauges panel now.

Panel include pop ups for the 2D handy gauges and matching mini-panels.
 
Avia 51 Metric Panels

The metric based gauges are now done for the Avia 51.

We now have 4 panels, two for each aircraft, to share with you.

They will be easily modifiable.
 
Thanks Milton :applause: :applause:

Really looking forward to these, but especially the 51 .... just my love of radials. :jump:

Pete.
 
Hurricane91 said:
That looks great Milton! You must be giving that panel utility a real workout.
Click to expand...

You bet! FS Panel Studio is awesome! One of the best investments I have made in software ever.

I have managed to cobble together 4 panels since installation on Saturday. :wiggle:
 
Early morning photo session - part 1


Well, I'll vouch for the panels gentlemen...I spent half of last night flying them IFR.
Pushing levers, pressing buttons, changing settings.

I would love to have included some pics here, but didn't for one practical reason; they literally keep being improved by the
hour, so Milton's posts will keep you all better informed.


View attachment 55640 View attachment 55641 View attachment 55642

View attachment 55643 View attachment 55644 View attachment 55645

So, as I needed a break, and a breath of mediterranean fresh air, I decided to get a few 'friends' together, and give you fair Aviators a taste of things to come. I wish to thank the hellenic Air Force for their kind gesture in the form of an honorary escort Gladiator. Infact they were so impressed with the Avias, they sent 2.

The day began with a chilly dawn engine warm-up at historical Sedes Air-base (LGSD), now thankfully undergoing a total restoration to its former 1920's - 30's glory.​
 
LOL Nice shots Nigel :applause: I am happy that you are enjoying the fruits of your labours. It's great to have those awsome sounds complimenting the fresh morning dew and sunlight. :)

Working feverishly on the ECUs, seats, and pedals. Should have these wrapped up today for both aircraft.
 
Milton Shupe said:
LOL Nice shots Nigel :applause: I am happy that you are enjoying the fruits of your labours. It's great to have those awsome sounds complimenting the fresh morning dew and sunlight. :)

Working feverishly on the ECUs, seats, and pedals. Should have these wrapped up today for both aircraft.
Click to expand...

Thankyou Milton,

I'm relishing the fruits of your craftsmanship, patience and inspiration, and the grand paint schemes of our worthy and talented painters, glittering as jewels as the day brings forth its first rays.
 
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