Aero L-29 Delfin / Maya

Trainer / Light Strike Jet-Powered Aircraft [ 1963 ]

The Aero L-29 was an important trainer for the Soviet Union and its sattlelite states

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 04/11/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Forward left side view of an abandoned L-29 in Iraq

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The Czech designed and produced Aero L-29 Delfin (translating to "Dolphin"; NATO designation of "Maya") series was a highly utilized Cold War jet trainer aircraft for the Soviet Union and its satellite states. The twin-seat aircraft was capable of speeds over 400 miles per hour and a ceiling of over 36,000 feet. Seeing large numbers, the L-29 was produced up until 1974 with many still in service in poorer military units around the world.

The single engine performer was built from two XL-29-designated prototypes - one fitted with a British Bristol Siddeley Viper turbojet engine and another fitted with an indigenous M 701 turbojet. Further development saw a three-way competitive fly-off occur against the Yak-30 design and the PZL Mielec TS-11 Iskra with the L-29 coming out ahead (Poland would go on to utilize the TS-11 trainer however). From there, the L-29 system would be fielded throughout the Soviet Bloc countries as the premiere jet trainer aircraft.

With two available underwing hardpoints, a light attack strike aircraft was designed that could carry gun pods, drop bombs and rockets. Specialized aerobatic performers were also devised from the existing base L-29 airframe and production of the entire L-29 series amounted to well over 3,600 strong.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Service Year

1963

Origin

Czechoslovakia

Status

ACTIVE
In Limited Service.

Crew

2

Production

3,600
UNITS

Aero Vodochody - Czechoslovakia

(View other Aviaton-Related Manufacturers)

Angola; Azerbaijan; Bulgaria; Czech Republic; Soviet Union; Georgia; Ghana; Iraq; Mali; Romania; Syria; Slovakia

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Training (General)
Developed ability to be used as a dedicated trainer for student pilots (typically under the supervision of an instructor).

Length

35.5 ft
(10.81 m)

Width/Span

33.8 ft
(10.29 m)

Height

10.2 ft
(3.10 m)

Empty Wgt

5,214 lb
(2,365 kg)

MTOW

7,804 lb
(3,540 kg)

Wgt Diff

+2,590 lb
(+1,175 kg)

(Showcased structural values pertain to the base Aero L-29 Delfin / Maya production variant)

Installed: 1 x Motorlet M 701c 500 turbojet engine generating 1,960lbs of thrust.

Max Speed

407 mph
(655 kph | 354 kts)

Ceiling

36,089 ft
(11,000 m | 7 mi)

Range

398 mi
(640 km | 1,185 nm)

Rate-of-Climb

2,755 ft/min
(840 m/min)

♦ MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

♦

(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the base Aero L-29 Delfin / Maya production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)

Mission-specific ordnance can include any of the following (limited to two external underwing hardpoints):

2 x 7.62mm Gun Pods
2 x 220lb Drop Bombs
8 x High Explosive Light air-to-surface rockets

Supported Types

Graphical image of an aircraft machine gun pod

Graphical image of aircraft aerial rockets

Graphical image of an aircraft conventional drop bomb munition

(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)

Hardpoint Mountings: 2

XL-29 - Prototype series; first prototype fitted with Bristol Siddeley Viper turbojet engine; Second prototype fitted with M 701 turbojet powerplant.

L-29 - Base Series Designation; basic trainer.

L-29A - Delfin "Akrobat" - Acrobatic Performer.

L-29R - Dedicated Light Strike Aircraft Variant

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Forward left side view of an abandoned L-29 in Iraq

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