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Fighter / Attack:
   Bell P-39 Airacobra
   Bell P-63 Kingcobra
   Brewster Buffalo
   Chance-Vought F-4U Corsair
   Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
   Curtiss SB2C Helldiver
   Douglas A-1 Skyraider
   Douglas A-26 Invader
   Douglas SBD Dauntless
   Fairey Firefly
   Focke-Wulf Fw 190
   Grumman F4F Wildcat
   Grumman F6F Hellcat
   Grumman F7F Tigercat
   Grumman F8F Bearcat
   Grumman TBF Avenger
   Hawker Hurricane
   Hawker Sea Fury
   Lockheed P-38 Lightning
   Messerschmitt Bf-109
   Mitsubishi A6M Zero-Sen
   North American P-51 Mustang

   Polikarpov I-16
   Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
   Supermarine Spitfire
   Yakovlev Yak-3
   Yakovlev Yak-9


Trainers:
  
Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan (C-45)
   Beechcraft T-34 Mentor
   Boeing / Stearman PT-17

   Commonwealth CA-25 Winjeel
   Commonwealth CA-1 Wirraway
   DeHavilland DHC-1 Chipmunk
   DeHavilland DH-82 Tiger Moth
   Fairchild PT-19 Cornell
   Hunting / Percival Provost
   Meyers OTW
   Nanchang CJ-6
   Naval Aircraft Factory N3N
   N. Am. BT-9 / BT-14 / Yale
   N. Am. T-6 Texan / SNJ / Harvard
   N. American T-28 Trojan

   Piaggio P149
   Ryan PT-22 Recruit

   Scottish Aviation T1 Bulldog
   Vultee BT-13 Valiant
   Yakovlev Yak-11
   Yakovlev Yak-18
   Yakovlev Yak-52


Bombers:
   Avro Lancaster
   Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
   Boeing B-29 Superfortress
   Bristol Blenheim / Bolingbroke
   Consolidated B-24 Liberator
   Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer

   Douglas A-3 Skywarrior
   DeHavilland Mosquito
   Fairey Swordfish
   Heinkel He-111 / Casa 2.111

   Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon / Ventura
   Martin B-26 Marauder
   North American B-25 Mitchell


Transports:
   Beechcraft C-45 (AT-11)

   Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter (KC-97)
   Curtiss C-46 Commando
   Douglas C-47 Skytrain / Dakota
   Douglas C-54 Skymaster

   Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
   Fairchild C-123 Provider
   Grumman C-1 Trader (S-2)
   Lockheed C-60 Lodestar
   Lockheed C-69 Constellation


Utility / Observation / Special Duty:
   Aeronca L-3 Grasshopper
   Aeronca L-16 Grasshopper
   Antonov AN-2 Colt
   Auster AOP 6/9
   Avro 652 Anson
   Avro Shackleton
   British Taylorcraft I-V
   Cessna L-19 / O-1 Bird Dog
   Cessna O-2 Super Skymaster
   Cessna T-50 / UC-78 Bobcat
   Consolidated PBY Catalina

   DeHavilland U-6A / L-20 Beaver
   Fairey Gannet
   Fairey Swordfish
   Fieseler Fi156 Storch
   Grumman S-2 Tracker (C-1)
   Grumman HU-16 Albatross
   Grumman OV-1 Mohawk
   Junkers Ju 52/3m

   Lockheed P2V Neptune
   Max Holste M.H.1521 Broussard
   Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun

   Noorduyn UC-64 Norseman
   North American L-17 Navion
   N. Am./ Rockwell OV-10 Bronco
   Piper L-4 Grasshopper
   Stinson L-5 Sentinel
   Taylorcraft L-2 Grasshopper
   Westland Lysander


Jets:
   Aero L-29 Delfin
   Aero L-39 Albatros
   Aermacchi MB-326
   Avro Vulcan
   BAC Strikemaster
   Blackburn (BAC) Buccaneer
   Canadair Tutor
   Cessna A-37 Dragonfly
   DeHavilland Vampire
   DeHavilland Venom
   English Electric Canberra
   English Electric Lightning
   Folland Gnat
   Fouga CM-170 Magister
   Gloster Meteor
   Grumman F9F Panther
   Hawker Hunter
   Hispano HA-200 Saeta
   Hunting Jet Provost
   Lockheed F-104 Starfighter
   Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star
   McDonnell-Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
   McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom
   Messerschmitt Me-262
   Mikoyan MiG-15
   Mikoyan MiG-17
   Mikoyan MiG-21
   N. Am. F-86 Sabre / FJ-4 Fury
   N. Am. F-100 Super Sabre
   N. Am. / Rockwell T-2 Buckeye
   Northrop T-38 Talon / F-5
   PZL / WSK TS-11 Iskra
   Saab J35 Draken
   Soko G-2A Galeb
   Temco Pinto & Super Pinto


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Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros

(Variants/Other Names: See History below)


Aero Vodochody L-39ZO Albatros
1977 L-39ZO formerly owned by Jim Kaney of Rockford, Illinois, USA.
(Photo by Ray Pittman)

History: The Czechoslovakian L-39 was built as the successor to their earlier trainer, the L-29 Delfin. Design work began in 1966, and the first prototype made its initial flight on 4 November 1968. The idea of the design was to marry an efficient, powerful turbofan engine to a sleek, streamlined fuselage, resulting in a strong, economical performer which would become the next standard jet trainer for the Warsaw Pact. Full-scale production was delayed until late 1972 due to apparent problems with the design of the air intakes, but these difficulties were overcome and the type went on to be a great success with the Soviet, Czech and East German air forces, among others.

Three main variants were produced. The L-39C was built as a pure trainer and was used by numerous air forces throughout Eastern Europe beginning in 1974 and continuing through today. The armed weapons-trainer variant is called the L-39ZA, and a close-support and ground-attack version is called the L-39ZO. In addition to those mentioned above, the L-39 has been exported to numerous countries, including Afghanistan, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Iraq, Libya, Estonia, and Kyrghyzstan. A modernized derivative of the Albatros, the L-59, is still being built in the Czech Republic. Another modernized, but very different version, the L-39MS, actually has much more in common with the L-59 than the L-39, despite its designation. Another variant, the L-139 Albatros 2000, was built with a U.S.-built Garrett TFE731 turbofan engine. One L-139 was built, and is privately operated in the USA.

As of this writing, the L-39 is the most popular jet warbird in the world, with over 300 believed to be actively flying in the USA alone.

Nicknames: "L-ka" (Russian nickname)

Specifications:
     Engine: One 3,792-lb thrust Ivchenko-Progress AI-25-TL (also built under Czech license by Motorlet).
     Weight: Empty 7,340 lbs., Max Takeoff 11,618 lbs. (L-39ZO with four rocket pods)
     Wing Span: 31ft. 0.5in.
     Length: 40ft. 5in.
     Height: 15ft. 5.5in.
     Performance:
          Maximum Speed at 19,600 ft: 485 mph (Trainer version, clean)
          Maximum Speed at Sea Level: 435 mph
          Ceiling: 37,730 ft. (Trainer, clean)
          Range: 528 miles with internal fuel; 995 miles with external tanks.
     Armament (L-39ZO): Up to 2,425 pounds of weapons on four underwing hardpoints, including bombs, 57- or 130-mm rocket pods, gun pods, a five-camera reconnaissance pod, or two fuel drop-tanks. Centerline point carried a pod-mounted 23-mm twin-barrel GSh-23 cannon with 180 rounds.

Number Built: 2800+

Number Still Airworthy: Unknown number in military service. At least 300 flying in private ownership.

Links:
Aero-Concept -- L-39 and Yak dealer.
Aero-Contact -- L-39 acquisition, sales, service and support in Germany.
Aero Vodochody Home Page
Air USA -- L-39 dealer in Quincy, Illinois, USA.
All Red Star -- Information for operators of Eastern-bloc aircraft.
Allen Smith -- L-39 airshows.
Black Diamond Jet Team -- 5-ship L-39 airshow demo team.
Code 1 Aviation -- L-39 and warbird maintenance, restoration, sales, training, and more.
Custom Painted L-39 Scale Models
Eastern Bloc Aircraft Services -- California-based L-39 instruction and services.
Firecat -- L-39 airshow act.
The Hoppers -- L-39 formation team. Provides airshow performances and motivational interactions with kids.
International Jets -- L-39 restoration, sales and maintenance.
L-39 Camouflage and Markings Page (Russian Aviation Research Site)
L-39 Enthusiasts Page (L39.com)
L-39 Fractionals -- L-39 fractional ownership opportunities.
L-39 Page (In Czechoslovakian)
L-39 Wings (In Italian)
Patriots Jet Demonstration Team -- Four-ship L-39 airshow act.
Racing Jets -- The website for the jet class of racers which compete at the National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada.
Red Star Pilots Association -- Owner/operator group representing L-39s, among other aircraft.
Red Steel Jet Team -- Airshow team comprised of L-39s and a MiG-23.
Top Gun Flights -- L-39 flights available in Sydney, Australia.
Worldwide Warbirds -- L-39 sales in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
Zvezda -- Russian ejection seat manufacturer.

  [ L-39 Pilot Report ]

L-39 Photos  [ L-39 Photos ]
 

Cockpit Photos:

(Click for larger) (Click for larger)


Safety Alert For Operators:

Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros SAFO 13003, dated 18 January 2013. Possibility of Canopy Separation. [PDF document]

 

  MiG Flights in Moscow


 


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All text and photos Copyright 2015 The Doublestar Group, unless otherwise noted.
You may use this page for your own, non-commercial reference purposes only.


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