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Aero L-39 Albatros (Albatross)
The Aero L-39 Albatros was designed to succeed the Aero L-29 Advanced Trainer and Light Strike Aircraft.
By Staff Writer
The L-39 series of advanced jet trainer and light strike aircraft followed along the same lines as its predecessor - the L-29 Delphin (detailed elsewhere on this site) - in terms of development. Designed actually just three years after the successful L-29 became the frontline advanced trainer for the Soviet Union and Bloc countries, the L-39 went through a series of prototype and development models before seeing production begin in 1972. From then on, the system was equally accepted and successful in the training of pilots for the Soviet Empire and satellite states.
Designed to succeed the L-29, the L-39 did so and followed up with simplified and a more modular approach to engineering allowing the L-39 to be produced more efficiently and quicker than its counterpart. The base powerplant allowed for a thrust upgrade when compared to the L-29 and avionics coupled with reinforced subsystems put the L-39 ahead.
The tandem twin-seat aircraft, like the L-29 before it, proved a viable platform for pilot and weapons training so much so that a light strike armed derivative was also produced. The four underwing hardpoints could mount a variety of rocket pods, air-to-air missiles and drop bombs along with a centerline-mounted 23mm GSh-23L twin-barrel cannon for close quarters work.
Export numbers for the L-39 Albatross were equally abundant as with the L-29, with roughly the same nations investing in this newer system. Thailand went on to purchase an export model designated with L-39 ZA/ART that featured Israeli-produced Elbit avionics. The most numerous in terms of production was the L-39 "C" model, which helped drive total production of the L-39 system was a whole past the 3,000 mark.
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Last Revision: 7/31/2009
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| Specifications for the Aero L-39 ZA Albatros (Albatross) |
 Dimensions: |
Length: 40.42ft (12.32m)
Width:31.04ft (9.46m)
Height: 15.49ft (4.72m)
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| Performance: |
About MACH |
Max Speed: 391mph (630kmh; 340kts)
Max Range: 1,087miles (1,750km)
Rate-of-Climb: 4,921ft/min (1,500m/min)
Service Ceiling: 29,528ft (9,000m; 5.6miles)
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| Structure: |
Accommodation: 2
Hardpoints: 4 (in armed variant)
Empty Weight: 7,341lbs (3,330kg)
MTOW: 11,618lbs (5,270kg)
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| Powerplant: |
| Engine(s): 1 x Ivchenko AI-25TL turbofan engine generating 3,792lbs of thrust. |
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| Armament Suite: |
Mission-specific ordnance may include any of the following for light strike duty or weapons training:
1 x 23mm cannon (centerline station)
AA-2 Atoll air-to-air missiles
57mm rocket pods
130mm rocket pods
Up to 1,102lbs of munitions
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| Pictures of the Aero L-39 Albatros (Albatross) |
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Aircraft Quick Profile |
Image courtesy of the United States Department of Defense.
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| 1972 |
Designation: Aero L-39 Albatros (Albatross)
Classification Type: Advanced Trainer / Light Attack Aircraft
Contractor: Aero - Czechoslovakia
Country of Origin: Czechoslovakia
Production Total: 3,000 |
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Operators: Algeria; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Bulgaria; Cambodia; Cuba; Czech Republic; Ethiopia; Hungary; Iraq; Libya; Lithuania; Nigeria; North Korea; Russia; Slovakia; Soviet Union; Syria; Thailand; Turkmenistan; Uganda; Yemen; Egypt; Tunisia
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| Variants |
L-39 Base Series Designation
L-39 C - Basic Two-Seat Unarmed Trainer
L-39 V - Target Tug
L-39 Z0 - Armed Weapons Trainer; fitted with strengthened wings and four underwing hardpoints.
L-39 ZA - Based on the L-39 Z0; strengthened undercarriage and provision for reconnaissance pod.
L-39 ZA/ART - Thailand Export Model; fitted with Israeli-produced Elbit-brand avionics system.
L-139 "Albatross 2000" - Export Model; fitted with TFE731 turbofan engine generating 4,080 lbs of thrust; avionics by Bendix/King.
L-59 - Based on the L-39; fitted with uprated powerplant, avionics and a strengthened fuselage.
AF L-39 MS - Based on the L-59 but is a Czech-produced derivative.
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