Avia BH-17 1/72 Vizi Models

In 1923, a competition was held between three aircrafts – Aero A-20, Letov Š-7, and Avia BH-8 –  to choose a new domestically designed fighter plane.
Avia won, and after incorporating the design changes required by the MNO (Ministry of National Defence), 24 aircrafts were ordered under the designation of BH-17.
It was Avia’s first mass-produced biplane and the direct predecessor of the Avia BH-21.

The construction was entirely wooden, with the fuselage covered in plywood. Plywood was also covering the wings up to the rear spar.
The aircraft was powered by a 300 hp Hispano-Suiza engine. The most distinctive feature of the airplane is the central pylon that supports the upper wing. This feature was also most often criticized by pilots because it restricted their visibility forward.
This pylon housed an oil cooler, with Weymann fuel intake located above it.
The BH-17 served at frontline units for only one year before being transferred to reserve units.

The model by Vizi is made entirely by 3D printing. The parts fit together nicely and the wing profile is appropriately thin.
This causes a slight problem with wing bending, but hot water and a bit of force fixed it.
In places, there are print lines on the fuselage, but one coat of surfacer and sanding took care of that.
Thanks to the central pylon, the upper wing is easy to install, and it likely also eliminates the possibility of future wing sag (thanks, gentlemen Beneš and Hajn). Even so, I added reinforcement made from a steel needle to the lower wing.

For safety, I also used a needle for the wheel axle.

Otherwise, the parts fit together very well. A very good idea is printing the landing gear as a single piece together with the strut and radiators, which greatly simplifies construction.
The decals are sufficiently thin and cover well.
Installing the rigging is quite demanding, as all of it is doubled. The attachment points are indicated on the model.

Paints are Tamiya and Gunze C, with Tamiya clear coats. Painted again with a brush.