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Sunday, December 14th 2008, 11:53pm

New Bulgarian Aircraft for 1937

I know what you're all thinking, but yes, Bulgaria DOES build some aircraft! 1937 will see several new types from Bulgaria's two native aircraft manufacturers, DAR/Avia (Derzhavna Aeroplanna Rabotilnitsa/State Airplane Factory; Avia associate) and Kaproni Bulgarski (a Caproni subsidiary).

[SIZE=3]Kaproni Bulgarski KB-5 Tchutchuliga-III[/SIZE]
Data from here.
Type: Two-seat biplane artillery spotter, liaison, and training aircraft.
Length: 8.5 meters/28 feet
Wingspan: 10.9 meters/35.76 feet (upper wing), 8.85 meters/29 feet (lower wing)
Wing Area: 25.4 square meters/273.4 square feet
Weight: 1,250 kilograms/2,755 pounds empty; 1650 kilograms/3,638 pounds loaded
Engine: 9-cylinder radial, 450 hp. Multiple engine types used.
Max Speed: 275 kmh, 148.5 knots, or 171 mph
Cruise radius: 750 kilometers/466 miles
Operational Ceiling: 6,800 meters/22,300 feet
Armament: 1x.30cal MG for pilot; 1x.30cal MG for spotter; can carry eight 25-kg bombs
Notes: The Bulgarian Air Force will be buying 78 of these planes in 1937. 54 planes will outfit an Army Cooperation Orlyak as artillery spotters and light liaison types; 24 aircraft will go to the Bozhurishte Military Flying School.

[SIZE=3]DAR/Avia DAR-3 Garvan-III (Raven-III)[/SIZE]
Data from here and here.
Type: Two-seat biplane artillery spotter, liaison, and training aircraft.
Length: 9.46 meters/31 feet
Wingspan: 11.90 meters/39 feet (upper wing); 10.75 meters/35.27 feet (lower wing)
Wing Area: 37 square meters/398.25 square feet
Weight: 1300 kilograms/2,866 pounds empty; 2100 kilograms/4,629.7 pounds loaded
Engine: Alfa Romeo 126 RC34 - 750 hp., 9 cyl; other types regularly fitted
Max Speed: 275 kmh, 148.5 knots, or 171 mph
Cruise radius: 1000 kilometers/621 miles
Operational Ceiling: 7000 meters/22,965 feet
Armament: 1x.30cal MG for pilot; 1x.30cal MG for spotter; can carry eight 25-kg bombs
Notes: This type is an update of the tried-and-true DAR-3 Garvan-1 and DAR-3 Garvan-2. Regarded as the best Bulgarian-designed and manufactured plane ever. The VNVV will be buying 78 aircraft; 54 to outfit an Army Cooperation Orlyak and 24 to outfit the Graf Ignatievo Military Flying School.

[SIZE=3]DAR/Avia DAR-7 SS.1 Koketka (Kitten)[/SIZE]
Data from here
Type: Single-seat low-wing sport aircraft and trainer.
Length: 7.2 meters/23.6 feet
Wingspan: 10.2 meters/33.46 feet
Wing Area: 16.2 square meters/175 square feet
Weight: 900 kilograms/1,984 pounds
Engine: 4-cylinder inline, 130 hp
Max Speed: 220 kmh, 118 knots, or 136 mph
Cruise radius: 1000 kilometers/621 miles
Operational Ceiling: 4500 meters/14,765 feet
Armament: Nothing, really. You could probably carry a pistol in the pilot's lap.
Notes: The DAR-7 SS.1 is a design which apparently never went beyond prototype stage, but the Bulgarian Air Force is going to buy 48 machines as single-seat trainers; there will also be a small radio added so the Koketka can serve as very light observation aircraft. The Bulgarian Air Force is going to make a few subsidies so that local flying clubs can use VNVV DAR-7s for quite cheap...

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And there you have it! An exciting and thrilling year for Bulgarian aviation!

All three of these types use historical stats: the KB-5 and DAR-3 GIII are two years earlier than historical, while the DAR-7 SS.1 is a year later than historical.

Also, the DAR factory, having been refurbished extensively after Avia picked up 49% ownership, is also capable of assembling 24-36 Avia B-135s per year, with increasing delivery rates. Unless a foreign (friendly) country wants to make an order, the VNVV will be purchasing them

The VNVV is also making some aircraft purchases in 1937, but these types have already been decided on, and will be announced in the Q1/37 news.