An L-39ZA of the Royal Thai Air Force.
The Aero L-39 Albatros is a single engine Czechoslovakian trainer that doubles as a light attack aircraft.
History[]
The L-39 was developed in the 1960s as a successor to the L-29 Delphín and first flew on 4 November 1969. After going through a number of tweaks and prototypes, production began in 1972. While used extensively by the Czech Air Force, the Albatros was also very successful in the export market, particularly with the Soviet Union. Over 3,000 were built before production ended in 1999, the majority of which are still in use. As examples were phased out of military service, the L-39 also became popular as a civilian aircraft due to its relative agility and inexpensiveness, and continues to see use as an aerobatic aircraft as well as a warbird. The Albatros was developed into the L-59 Super Albatros and L-159 Alca.
Variants[]
- L-39C: Baseline trainer
- L-39ZO: Weapons trainer
- L-39V: Target towing aircraft
- L-39ZA: L-39ZO with gun pod capability
- L-39MS: L-39C upgraded with electronic cockpit displays.[1]
Specifications[]
- Powerplant: One Ivchenko AI-25TL turbofan engine
- Top speed: 750 km/h
- Range: 1,100 km
- Ceiling: 11,000 m
- Crew: 2
- Empty weight: 3,455 kg
- Length: 12.13 m
- Height: 4.77 m
- Wingspan: 9.46 m
- Armament: Two hardpoints capable of carrying 284 kg of ordnance.
References[]
- ↑ World Aircraft Information Files Aviation Partwork. Midsummer Books Ltd. File 3 Sheet 1 (World Military Aircraft:Aero L-39 Albatros - Wings for the WarPac)