Letov Designations

from Czechoslovakia,

Letov L-101 :was a twin Argus As.410-powered 12-passenger
feeder liner commerical monoplane.
Letov L-290 Orel :was a four engined (BMW 801) 44-48 passenger
airliner, produced after the WW2 as a civil development
of Junkers Ju-290 bomber.

Letov Kbely (Letov Military Aircraft Works)

A list of 1920 to 1945 Letov designations. As usual, a few projects but mostly holes to fill ;D

Note: early designations combined chief designer, Alois Šmolík's initial with engine type and design number. Eg: Šhs-4 = Š for chief designer, Alois Šmolík; hs for Hispano-Suiza 8Ba; and 4 for the fourth Letov design. I'm not sure which form came first but, sometimes, early designations had type numbers based on engine type. So, the ŠB.3 (third Letov design, BMW engine) could also be rendered as Š B 1 = first Šmolík design with a BMW engine.

Designations were later rationalized, dropping the engine type letters and following an essentially chronological series. Design evolution designation changes followed the French pattern (eg: S-18 begets S-118, S218, etc.). Sub-type letters were also adopted. Later sub-types are often shown with a Capital letter suffix. I have stayed with lower case (for continuity).
________________________________________________________________________


Letov Š.1 - 1920 2-seat reconnaissance biplane, 1920, 28 built
- Š.1 : 1 x 230 hp Hiero L 6-cylinder inline, span 13.02 m
- Šh-1 : h = Hiero, original designation, redesignated Š.1
- Šm A 1, commercial variant, canopy over rear 2 pax cockpit

Letov Š.2 - 1921 2-seat recce biplane, Aero license, x 40
- Š.2 : 1 x 260 hp Maybach Mb.IVa 6-cylinder, span 13.02 m
- Šm.1: m = Maybach, original designation
- Šm.2: m = Maybach, original designation

Letov Š.3 - 1921 single-seat parasol monoplane fighter, x 2
- Š.3 : 1 x 182 hp 6-cyl BMW IIIa 6-cyl., span 10.13 m
- Š.3 : 1st prototype destroyed by fire below flying
- Š B 1 : B = BMW, original designation, aka ŠB.3

Letov Š.4 - 1922 single-seat biplane fighter/trainer, x 20
- Š.4 : 1 x 220 hp Hispano-Suiza 8Ba V-8, span 8.00 m
- Š HS 1.01: HS = Hispano-Suiza, orig. desig., aka Šhs 4
- Š.4a : Production aircraft used as fighter-trainers

Letov Š.5 - 1923 2-seat recce biplane, Š.1 derivative, x 1
- Š.5: Š.1 wings/empennage w/ metal-tube fuselage structure
- Š.5: Prototype modified for evaporate-cooling trials

Letov Š.6 - 1923 2-seat biplane bomber, 1 + 35 series built
- Š.6 : 1 x 255 kW 6-cyl Maybach IVa 6-cyl., span 15.69 m
- Š.6 : Mixed constr., wooden wings, dural fuselage tubes
-- Š.6 airframe led to Š.16 successor and civil Š.19 (qv)

Letov Š.7 - 1923 mixed-construction biplane fighter, 1923,
- Š.7 : Prototype, 1 x 220 hp V-8 Škoda HS 8Fb, span 9.30 m
- Š.7a: Mod. prototype, belly radiator bath, rev. cowling

Letov Š.8 - 1922 single-seat experimetal aircraft/racer
- Š.8 : Shoulder-wing monoplane , 1922, annular radiator,
- Š.8 : 1 x 450 hp Napier Lion II W-12, span 11.40 m
- Sm-8: (??) Project? Alt. designation? Commercial variant?

Letov Š.9 - (Project) 1923 trimotor bomber concept
- Š.9 : See Š.15, layout 2 (below)

Letov Š.10 - 1921-22 2-seat tandem biplane trainer, x 51
- Š.10 : Direct copy of Hansa-Brandenburg B I biplane
- Š.10: 1 x 100 hp Breitfeld & Danek Blesk.,* span 12.30 m
-- * Czech-made copy of the German Mercedes D I 6-cylinder

Letov Š.11 - (Project) 1923 twin-engined monoplane a/c
- Š.11 : Bomber or commercial monoplane, not completed (??)

Letov Š.12 - 1924 single-seat parasol monoplane fighter, x 1
- Š.12 : Hybrid airframe, Š.3 wing on a biplane Š.4 fuselage
- Š.12 : 1 x 220 hp V-8 Hispano-Suiza 8ba V-8, span 9.40 m

Letov Š.13 - 1924 single-seat biplane fighter, 1 x prototype
- Š.13: Single-bay biplane with a thick, Zhukovsky airfoil*
- Š.13: 1 x 295 hp Škoda (licensed) HS 8Fb V-8, span 8.00 m
-- * Orig. cantilevered, relying upon its internal bracing
-- * Later external struts added, 1st 'N' type, later 'V's

Letov Š.14 - 1924 single-seat biplane fighter, 1 x prototype
- Š.14: Designed in parallel w/ Š.13, rebuilt Š.4.20 airframe
- Š.14: (As flown) single-bay biplane w/ convent'l airfoil
- Š.14: (As mod'd) Parasol monoplane with bracing struts*
- Š.14: 1 x 295 hp Hispano-Suiza 8Fb V-8, span 8.10 m
-- * Re-fitted with cantilever wings for use as a racer

Letov Š.15 (I) - (Project) 1920-24 high-winged monoplane
- Š.15: Airliner/trans-Atlantic a/c, 3 differnt versions
- Š.15 (layout 1): Conventional arrangment
-- Š.15 layout 1: 4 x Hispano-Suiza engines, tandem pairs
-- NB: Poss. the only project accurately designated Š.15
- Š.15 (layout 2): Trimotor, poss. 30 pax airliner Š.9
-- Š.15 layout 2: 1 x Napier Lion, 2 x 220 hp BMWs*
-- * Lion tractor in nose, BMW pushers on wings
- Š.15 (layout 3): Pod and twin boom (vert.-arranged booms)
-- Š.15 layout 3: 7 x tractor propellers,** span (??) m
-- ** 4 engines in wings, 3 x vert.-arranged nose engines
-- NB: Accurate desig. prob. Š.137 (Š.37 project related?)

Letov Š.15 (II) - (Project) Light experimental sports aircraft
- Š.15 : (II): 1 x 30 hp Walter (Atom HO2?), span (??) m
-- Šmolík returned to this concept in 1931 with Š.39 project

Letov Š.16 - 1926 all-metal reconnaissance biplane, x 89
- Š.16 : 2-seat tandem, unstaggered single-bay wings
- Š.16 : 1 x 450 hp Lorraine Dietrich 12E, span 15.30 m
- Š.16 : 1926 reconnaissance aircraft (or recce-bomber?)
- Š.16B: 1928 bomber, lowered rear decking, aka Sb 16
- Š.16J: (Jugoslávie) 1929 Yugoslav floatplane , x 1
- Š.16L: (Lotyšsko) Latvia Aviacijas divizions C1, x 21
** SWIPE accents https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/latvian-aircraft-designations.6942/
- Š.16L: 1 x 450 hp Hispano Suiza HS 8Fb, span 15.30 m
-- https://1000aircraftphotos.com/Contributions/Visschedijk/3489.htm
- Š-16r: (revidius) 1930 slightly mod. 'revived', x 8
- Š.16T: (Turecko) Turkish export order, x 16
-- Š.16Ts to be followed by unrealized licenced Š.616
- Š.116: 1928 bomber devel., Handley-Page slots on wings, x 3
- Š.116: 1 x 500 hp Škoda L W-12 (licensed Hispano-Suiza HS 50)
- Š.216: 1928 bomber, 1 x 480 hp 9-cyl G-R Jupiter VIII), x 1
- Š.216: Excess vibration, Jupiter repl. by HS 12Lb
- Š.316: 1931 bomber, 2 x conversions, 1 x new-build, x 3
- Š.316: 1 x 640 hp Hispano Suiza HS 12Lb, span 15.30 m
-- Š-316.1 : Rebuilt from ŠB.16.26 airframe
-- Š-316.2 : Newly constructed airframe
-- Š-316.1 : Rebuilt from Š.216 prototype airframe, x 1
- Š.416: 1929 bomber, converted from airframe of Š.16.5
- Š.416: 1 x 515 hp Breitfeld & Danek LD V-12 engine
- Š.516: 1930 failed competitior to Aero A-100 bomber, x 2
- Š.516: 1 x 800 hp Praga Asso 9-W, span 15.30 m
- Š.516: Prototype was conv. Š.416.1, 2nd was ex-Š.316.2
-- * Licensed Italian Isotta-Fraschini Asso W-12
- Š.616: 1930-1932 bomber, HS 12Nbr, 4-bladed prop, x 12
-- Š.616.1: 1930, 1 x 640 hp Hispano Suiza HS 12Lb engine
-- Š.616.2: 1930, 1 x 650 hp Hispano Suiza HS 12Nbr V-12
-- Š-616.2: ex-Š.316.1 used to test Chauvière & HVK props
-- NB: Š-616.2 tested Letov props, then back to an Š.316
-- Š.616.3: 1932, 1 x 640 hp Hispano Suiza HS 12Lb engine
-- Š.616.3: Later conv. to 650 hp Hispano Suiza HS 12Nbr
-- Š.616.3-Š.616.12 were considered series production a/c
- Š.716: 1930 racer (back-up for other Š.16 variants), x 1
-- Š-716: 1 x geared 500 hp Škoda L W-12 (licensed HS 50)
-- Š-716.1 was a conversion of the Š-116.3 airframe
- Š.816: 1932, 1 x 500 hp * Praga ESV V-12 engine, x 2
-- * 750 hp anticipated output for unreliable Praga ESV
-- Š-816.1: Š-516.1 airframe conv., ungeared ESV engine
-- Š-816.2: ŠB.16.15 airframe conv., geared ESVr engine
- Š.916: (Project) attack aircraft (??) no other details

Letov Š.17 - 1929 recce biplane, re-engined Š.16.3
- Š.17: 1 x 500 hp Breitfeld-Danek (Praga) BD-500 V-12

Letov Š.18 - 1925 2-seat tandem biplane trainer, x 82
- Š.18 : 1925, 1 x 60 hp 5-cyl Walter NZ 60 radial, x 34
- Š.118: 1925, 1 x 85 hp 7-cyl Walter NZ-85 radial, x 14
- Š.218: 1926, 1 x 120 hp 9-cyl Walter NZ-120,* x 44
-- Š.218 also differed in detail, eg: metal wing struts
- Š.218A: Finnish-built, 150 hp 7-cyl Bramo Sh.14A, x 29

Letov Š.19 - 1924 1+4 passenger transport biplane, x 7
- Š.19 : Civilian version of military Letov Š.6
- Š.19 : 1 x 255 hp Maybach IVa or 250 hp Walter W-IV*
-- * Licenced BMW IV 6-cyl., all Š.19s to ČSA airline

Letov Š.20 - 1925 single-seat biplane fighter, x 114
- Š.20: 1 x 300 hp Škoda HS 8 Fb V-8, span 9.60 m
- Š.20J: (Jupiter) 1927, led to Š.31 fighter, x 2
- Š.20J: 1 x 480 hp Walter Jupiter, span 9.60 m
- Š.20L: (Litva) 1925 Lithuanian order, x 8 or 10
-- Š.20L differed from Š.20 in interchangable ski u/c
- Š.20M: 1927 main production variant, same as Š.20R*
-- * Some sources say only prototype Š.20R was Š.20M
- Š.20R: (Revidováno) Revised, narrower fuselage

Letov Š.21 - 1926 single-seat biplane fighter-trainer, x 1
- Š.21: Revised, low-power Š.20, to compete w/ Avia BH.22
- Š.21: 1 x 180 hp Hispano Suiza 8 Aa V-8, span 10.10 m
- ŠA.20: original designation of what becomes Š.21

Letov Š.22 - 1925 high-altitude parasol-wing fighter, x 1
- Š.22: 1 x 450 hp Škoda L W-12 (HS 12Gb), span 10.18 m

Letov Š.23 - (Project) Study (Bittner collection), no details

Letov Š.24 - 1927 light night bomber biplane, Š.16 devel.

Letov Š.25 - 1930 2-seat operational biplane trainer, x 3
- Š-25: Single-bay, cloth-covered metal airframe
- Š-25: 1 x 300 hp Skoda HS 8Fb V-8 engine, span 11.35 m
-- Š-25 lost Cz air force competition to the Praga BH-41

Letov Š.26 - (Project) Study (Bittner collection), no details
- Š.26: Some sources say an unrealized modernization of Š.16

Letov Š.27 (I) - (Project) 1928 high-winged monoplane study
- Š.27: 18 passenger trimotor airliner, strut-braced wings
- Š.27: 3 x 450 hp Walter Jupiter 9-cyl., span (??) m

Letov Š.27 (II) - (Project) 1931 mil. continuation trainer
- Š.27: Constr. of 2 airframes cancelled at advanced stage

Letov Š.28 - 1928 2-seat reconnaissance biplane and devel.
- Š.28 : 1928, 1 x 235 hp Walter Castor 9-cyl., x 1
- Š.128: 1931, 1 450 hp 9-cyl Walter Jupiter VI radial, x 5
- Š.128SM: Prototype demonstrator for the Estonia AF, x 1
- Š.128SM: 1 x 500 hp 9-cyl Gnome-Rhône Mercure VII
- Š.128 : (Project) Heavily revised armoured attack a/c
- Š.128 : 1 x 500 hp Breitfeld & Danek BD-500 V-12
-- Pilot beneath upper wing, dorsal & ventral gun positions
- Š.228 : 1931, as Š.128SM, 1 x G-R Mercure VII
- Š.228 : Demonstrated to Finns w/ 500 hp P&W Hornet radial
- Š.228E: (Estonsko) 1932 Estonia export aircraft, x 4
- Š.328 : 1932 recce a/c, 1 x 730 hp Walter Pegasus III-M2
- Š.328F: (Finsko) export vers. developed for Finland, x 1
- Š.328F: 1 x 635 hp) Bristol Pegasus II-M2, span 13.20 m
- Š.328F: (Finsko) engine change prototype, 740 hp V-12 Avia Vr-36
- Š-328FM: Same as Š-328MNO (qv), change to Škoda vz.30 mgs
- Š-328MNO: Prototype w/ revised kit for MNO (hence sub-type)
- Š.328n: MNO designation for Š.328 w/ night-flying equipment
- Š.328N: (Nachtjäger) Luftwaffe conv. for Störkampfstaffeln
- Š.328v : MNO numbering for seaplane (twin Short floats), x 4
- Š.328W : Š.328-2, as per Š.328F, 740 hp V-12 Avia Vr-36
- Š.428 : 1933 Š.238W ground attack variant, 740 hp Avia Vr-36
-- Š-428.1: MNO showed no interest in this V-12-powered variant
- Š.528 : 1934 variant w/ 2-row, 14-cyl. radial in long cowl, x 6
-- Š.528.1: 1 x 800 hp Walter K14 (G-R Mistral Major 14 Krsd)

Letov Š.29 (I) - (Project) 1927 4-engined biplane bomber
- Š.29: 5 crew, 3 x flexible mgs, bomb load of 1500 kg
- Š.29: Tandem engine (??) pairs betw. wings, span (??) m

Letov Š.29 (II) - (Project) 1929 high-wing monoplane bomber
- Š.29: 4 x 450 hp Walter Jupiter 9-cyl.,* span (??) m
-- * 1 x engine sits above each wing, 1 x below each wing
- Š.29 : Fitted w/ nose, dorsal, and ventral gun positions
- Š.29a: Alt. desig. for 2nd Š.29 iteration, or variant (??)
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/letov-projects.5816/#post-449745

Letov Š.30 - (Project) Large biplane cabin airliner*
- Š.30: Open pilot's cockpit behind the enclosed cabin
- Š.30: 4 x (??) hp push-pull (??) tandem radial engines
- Š.30: Engine pairs mounted between unstaggered wings
-- Spatted main wheels + anti-roll-over wheel on nose

Letov Š.31 - 1929 single-engine, single-seat, biplane fighter
- Š.31 - Fabric-covered all-metal constr. (steel & aluminum)
- Š.31 : 1929 fighter/trainer, based on earlier Š.20J, x 33
- Š.31 : 1 x 450 hp Walter Jupiter 9-cyl. span 9.80 m
- Š.31A: 1 x 500 hp Bristol Mercury, becomes Š.231
- Š.131: Special air-racing development of the Š.31, x 3
- Š.131: 1 x 500 hp 9-cyl BMW Hornet, span 9.80 m, x 3
- Š.231: 1933 refinement w/ new wing profile & Townend ring
- Š.231: 1 x 550 hp* Walter Merkur V-S2 9-cyl., x 24
- Š.331: 1935 prototype fighter, OK-VOD sold to Rep Spain
- Š.331: 1 x 660 hp 9-cyl Walter Mistral K-14 radial
- Š.331: 3-bladed metal prop, 4 x 7.92 mm vz. 30 machine guns
- Š.431: 1936 prototype fighter (crashed on trials), 14-cyl AS Tiger III
- Š-431: 1 x 680 hp Armstrong-Siddeley Tiger 14-cyl., x 1

Letov Š.32 - 1931 shoulder-winged cabin airliner, x 4
- Š.32: 2 + 6 pax, cantilever monoplane, mixed constr.
- Š.32: 3 x 140 hp 14-cyl Walter Mars I, span 17.24 m
- Š.32: To night service requirement, all 5 Š.32 to ČSA
-- Flight 8 Jan 1932, article (photos & 3-view)

Letov Š.33 - 2- to 3-seat high-wing bomber/record,
- Š.33:
- Š.33: 1 x 790 hp Praga Asso 9-W W-12
brief test hop before ground (for excessive vibration), replaced by Š.516.

Letov Š.34 (I) - (Project) 192? biplane bomber, Š.29 deriv.
- Š.34 (I): 5 x crew, unstaggered single-bay biplane
- Š.34 (I): 3 x 450 hp Walter Jupiter,* span 34.00 m
-- * 1 x nose engine, 2 x tractor engines set between wings

Letov Š.34 (II) - (Project) 1930 monoplane bomber, Š.33 deriv.
- Š.34 (II): 3 x crew, high-mounted cantilever monoplane
- Š.34 (I): 1 x (??) hp (??) engine,* span 32.00 m
-- * Probably a 790 hp Praga Asso 9-W 3-bank W-12

Letov Š.35 - (??) No details

Letov Š.36 - (??) No details
- Š.36 : Project I , no details, Bittner collection
- Š.36 : Project II, no details, Bittner collection

Letov Š.37 - (Project) Poss. desig. of Š.15 layout 3
- Š.37 : (??) No details, unknown origin of Š.137?
- Š.137: (Project) transatlantic airliner, 1920

Letov Š.38 - (Project) 1930 2-seat reconnaissance biplane
- Š.38: Twin tails, dorsal Armstrong Whitworth gun turret
- Š.38: 1 x (??) hp (??) radial engine, span (??) m

Letov Š.39 - 1932 2-seat, parasol monoplane sports a/c, x 42
- Š.39 : (As built) 1931, 1 x 50 hp Orion LL-50 engine*
-- * 'Orion' (Vilém Michl) motorcycle engine, did not fly
- Š.39 : Series aircraft, with Handley Page slats, x 21
- Š.39 : 1 x 55 hp Walter Polaris 3-cyl, span (??) m
- Š.139: 1933, more power, steel-tube fuselage, revised wings
- Š.139: 1 x 85 hp 7-cyl Pobjoy R radial, span 10.00 m, x 4
- Š.139: 1 x 75 hp 7-cyl Walter Mira R, span 10.00 m, x 2
- Š.239: 1934, revised structure, air-cooled inline engine
- Š.239: 1 x 85 hp 4-cyl Walter Minor 4, span 10.00 m

Letov Š.40 - (Project) 1934 twin-engined airliner studies
- Š.40 : Project I, twin-boomed, 18-passenger transport
- Š.40a: Project I, (??) no details, Bittner Collection
- Š.40 : Project II, (??) no details, Bittner Collection
- Š.40b: Project II, (??) no details, Bittner Collection

Letov Š.41 - (Project) 1934 twin-engined airliner studies
- Š.41 : Studies of 5 x variants with different layouts
- Š.41 : Project I, twin-boomed, 18-passenber transport
- Š.41a: Project II, 1 +12 pax, conv'l DC-2-like layout
- Š.41a: 2 x (??) hp (??) radial engines, span 22.20 m
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/letov-projects.5816/#post-449664
- Š.41b: Project II, (??) No details, Bittner collection
- Š.41c: Project II, twin-boom, each w/ engine + cockpit
- Š.41c: 2 x (??) hp (??) radial engines, span 23.50 m
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/letov-projects.5816/#post-446115
- Š.41c: 1 crew + 6 pax seated in each fuselage boom

Letov Š.42 - (Project) 1935 twin-boomed medium bomber
- Š.42: 2 x (??) hp (??) engine, span (??) m
- Š.42: Deriveded from twin-boom Š.40 airliner project

Letov Š.43 - (Project) 1936 monoplane medium bomber
- Š.43: Low-winged, twin tailled, retractable u/c
- Š.43: 2 x (??) hp (??) radials, span (??) m
- Š.43: 3-seater, nose/dorsal turrets, belly gun*
-- * A crew of three were going to be very busy!
- Š.43: Intended as Czech. repl. for Bloch MB.200
- Š.43: Competing with Aero A-300 and Avia B-153

Letov Š.44 - (Project) 1936 single-seat light fighter
- Š.44a: (??) No details, Bittner Collection
- Š.44b: 1 x 528 hp Walter Sagitta IV-M, span 9.50 m
-- Estimated max. speed for Š.44B was 320 mph

Letov Š.45 - (Project) 193? strike a/c or light bomber
- Š.45: 2 x 528 hp Walter Sagitta IV-M, span (??) m

Letov Š.46 - (Project) 193? attack aircraft
- Š.46 : (??) No details
- Š.146: (??) Attack aircraft, (??) no details

Letov Š.47 - (??)

Letov Š.48 - (Project) 1936 twin-engined bomber
- Š.48 : (??) No details

Letov Š.49 - (Project) 1936 twin-engined attack/fighter
- Š.49: 2-seater, low-winged, twin tails, retr. u/c
- Š.49: 2 x 528 hp Walter Sagitta IV-M, span 15.80 m
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/letov-projects.5816/#post-440762

Letov Š.50 (I) - (Project) 1936, (??) no information
- Š.50 (I) : (??) no details

Letov Š.50 (II) - 1938 twin-engined multi-purpose a/c
- Š.50 : Low-winged monoplane, twin tailled, fixed u/c
- Š.50 : 2 x 420 hp 7-cyl Avia Rk-17s, span 17.30 m, x 1
- Š.50 : 3-seat monoplane recce-bomber, optional 2 x GR 14M
- Š.50a: (??) Bomber prototype, same as Š.50 (no suffix ??)
- Š.50b: (??)
- Š.50c: (??)
- Š.50d: (Project) Revised airframe, 10-pax transport
- Š.50d: 2 x 420 hp 7-cyl Avia Rk-17s, span 17.30 m
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/letov-projects.5816/#post-444387

Letov Š.51 - (Project) 1937-38 single-seat fighter*
- Š.51: Low-winged monoplane w/ semi-retr. main u/c
- Š.51: 1 x 980 hp Gnome-Rhône 14N 14 cyl, span 11.40 m
- Š.51: 2 x 20 mm cannons in underwing fairings
-- * Project I & II, unclear which is described here

Letov Š.52 - 1938 twin-engined light recce-bomber,* x 1
- Š.52: MNO requir. for 'typ III' observation a/c
-- * Sometimes described as multi-engined crew trainer
- Š.52: Day/night, mult. gun positions, dorsal turret
- Š.52: 2 x 420 hp Avia Rk-17 radials, span 17.30 m
-- Š.52.1: Š.50 evolution, retr. u/c (incl. tailwheel)

Letov Š.53 - (??)

Letov Š.54 - (??)

Letov Š.55 - (??)

Letov Š.56 - (Project) 1938 attack aircraft/light bomber
- Š.56: All-metal constr., twin-boom,* twin cockpits**
- Š.56: 2 x (??) hp (??) radial engines, span (??) m
-- * High-mounted wing, single centrally-placed fin/rudder
-- ** Crew members positioned in both booms
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/letov-projects.5816/#post-438502

Letov Š.57 - (Project) 1938 two-seat liaison aircraft
- Š.57: Low wing, fixed trousered main undercarriage
- Š.57: 1 x 120 hp Walter Major 4, span (??) m

Letov Š.132 - (Project) 192? bomber/transport, Š.15 devel.

Letov Š.?? - ... Any others ??

Further reading for those interested ...

L+K listings for Letov/Rudý Letov aircraft (condensed from Letecký Archív)
http://aviatika.wz.cz/cs.htm

S-2 - L+K 5/87 (restoration)
S-4 - L+K 13/91 (photos)
S-13 - L+K 3/85 (short article, drawings, pg 115)
S-16 - L+K 12-14/83 (Monograph - J. Krumbach), L+K 6/65 (Monograph - K. Bittner, J. Krumbach), L+K 20-21/87 (P. Samek)
S-18 - L+K 19/92 & 10/93 (Bulgaria - P. Týc), L+K 24/93 (Latvia)
S-218 - L+K 16/80 (photo, cockpit)
S-20 - L+K 18-22/93 (Lithuania - P. Týc), L+K 11/87 (S-20 in Lithuania)
S-328 - L+K 20-22/84 (Monograph - J. Krumbach, J. Vrany), L+K 19/72 (Monograph - K. Bittner, J. Krumbach), L+K 9/68 (K. Bittner, J . Krumbach), L+K 18/80 (Aircraft 1939-1945), L+K 8-11/85 (J. Krumbach), L+K 12/85 (S-328 Colours after 1939 - J. Vrany), L+C 17/88 (Smolík biography - J. Vraný)
S-31 - L+K 22/88 (short article, pg. 875)
S-32 - L+K 9-11/92 (Monografie - J. Kase, V. Piric)

C-2 (Arado Ar-96) - L+K 26/79 (Monograph - O. Soukup)
XLA-54 - L+K 1/79 (Monograph - P. Marjánek)
LF-107 Lunák L+K 4-5/81 (Monograph - J. Brskovský), L+K 1-2/87 (C. Zbuzek), L+K 10/88 (memory L. Stros)
XLF-207 Laminár - L+K 6/81 (Monograph - J. Brskovský)
L-52 project - L+K 6/93 (Z. Pátek, R. Theiner)
Simulator TL-X - L+K 4/89 (V. Bezányi)

Note: the full list includes the LF-109 Pionýr (L+K 16-18/83) by LET not Letov, AFAIK.

S-45 -two-seat strike aircraft and light bomber, 2 x Walter Sagitta, project only

Excellent, thanks AM!

Pre-1945 and post-1945

S-46 and S-146 were attack aircraft,L-101 transport,L-290 transport,
L-106 twin boom transport project,L-53 single engined light aircraft
project,L-115 twin jet engines project,L-11 sailpane and the S-916
attack aircraft.
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,887.0/highlight,aircraft+from+different+countries.html

Thanks Hesham. It wasn't going to do a Rudý Letov designations list -- too many missing. But, here's what I have so far ...

Post-WWII Rudý Letov ('Red Letov') Projects

Letov L-11 - glider
Letov L-13 Blanik - glider
- L-13J - motor glider [engine type?]
- XL-13M - motor glider (Walter A)
- XL-13T - motor glider (Trabant engine)

Letov L-52 - [Project] jet fighter design based on wings and tail of Avia S-92, new fuselage with 1 x RR Derwent or RR Nene.
- L-152 [Project] , no details (possibly designation for Nene-powered L-52).
Letov L-53 - [Project]

Letov LF-107 Lunák - 1948, single-seat sports glider [alt. designation VT-7 ?]
Letov XLF-207 Laminar - 1951, Lun(ák derivative with laminar flow wing

Letov L-101 - feeder liner, 2 x Argus As.410, 12-passenger
Letov L-106 - [Project] twin-boom transport
Letov L-115 - [Project] twin-jet [details ?]
Letov L-290 Orel - based on Junkers Ju 290, 4 x BMW 801, 44-48 passenger

Trenazér TL-X - simulator for L-39 and L-610
http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1990/1990%20-%200674.html

Letov Aircraft with Czech Air Force Designations

Letov XLA-54 - trainer, 1950, 1 x M 411R
- [was the XLE-10 a related or competing design?]
Letov LB-79 - 2 x Heinkel He 219A-5 (lehký bombardér) built from recovered components, 1951, 1 ("34") used as jet engine testbed.
Letov C-2 - Arado Ar-96B trainer
- C-2A [back designation for wartime production Ar-96 for Luftwaffe/]
- C-2B - Arado Ar-96B produced for Czech Air Force
Letov C-3 (or C-103) - Siebel Si-204

Letov S-9 (1923) proect three engined bomber (see - S-15 layout 2)

Letov S-24 (1927) light night bomber (development S-16)

Letov S-27 (1928) proect high-wing monoplane, three engined (Walter "Jupiter" 450 h.p.) passenger
airplaine /18 person/

Letov S-29 (1929) bomber, high-wing monoplane, 4x Walter "Jupiter" (location:
one under the wing of another over it), project only
Letov S-30 (1928) passenger airplaine /18 person/, biplane, 4x Walter "Jupiter" (pull & pusher) project
only.
Letov S-38 (1930) two-seat reconnaissance biplane, with gun turret, twin-finned (transferable S-328)

Letov S-41 (1934) layout 1assenger airplaine /12 person/, twin-engined, project only
S-41 (1934) layout 2assenger airplaine, twin-fuselage aircraft /1+6 person in every/ project
only .
source: V. Nemechek "Czechoslovak aircraft 1918-1945" Volume 1.,
(Some of them have views from the side. If interested can send posting)

Excellent stuff -- many thanks Borovik!

borovik said:

source: V. Nemechek "Czechoslovak aircraft 1918-1945" Volume 1.,
(Some of them have views from the side. If interested can send posting)

Click to expand...

Yes please ;D Perhaps an on-going Letov Projects thread in the Early Aircraft Projects section?

See please:visual addendum- http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,5816.0.html

Hi,

the LG-124,LG-125 and LG-130 were a gliders.

Hello Hesham. AFAIK, the LG-124 Galánka and LG-125 Sohaj 2 were both LET products not Letov (as was the LG-425 Sohaj 3), and the LG-130 Kmotr (or Z-130) was a product of Moravan Otrokovice (aka Zlin).

Some postwar projects:
Letov L-103 (1947/48) - 30-seat twin-engined airliner with pressurized cabin.
Letov L-105 (1946) - ultralight sport aircraft made of laminated wood. One-man crew, 25-hp Walter A engine, maximum speed 136 km/h.
Letov L-106 Soumar (1948) - twin-boom transport aircraft: 1200 kg payload, two 700-hp Walter V-12 engines (aka M-446).
Letov L-53 - observation, artillery spotting and multipurpose aircraft, a counterpart for Praga E-55 and Aero Ae-50.
Letov L-501 - piston fighter with M-211 (Jumo 211) engine; looks not unlike the Mustang.
Letov LA P-9 (1949) - jet trainer fighter: M-003 engine (BMW 003?), maximum speed 580 km/h (seems to be too small, but this is data from Nemeček's book).
Letov LA-58 (1951/52) - multiplace twin-engined training aircraft, seems to be a planned successor for Si 204 / Aero C-3. Two V-12 (M-446) engines.
Letov L-42 (1960) - kind of "business jet" (6-8 passengers) and trainer aircraft. Two rear-mounted M-701 turbojets (10,8 kN each). Cruise speed 870 km/h. Designed in two versions: low-wing (appears like typical bizjet) and more unconventional - high-wing.
Letov L-43 (1960) - STOL light transport and trainer. Two projected M-603 turboprops (1200 to 1400 hp each) or two twinned M-601; 20 to 25 passengers (8 to 10 in VIP configuration). Takeoff run only 15 m!
Letov L-48 (1960) - 24-seat regional airliner with two M-603 engines, designed by eng. Dlouhy.

(Source: V. Nĕmeček. Československa letadla. Vol.2 (1945-1984), Praga, 1984).

Great stuff redstar72! Does Nĕmeček provid any images of these projects?

Apophenia said:

Hello Hesham. AFAIK, the LG-124 Galánka and LG-125 Sohaj 2 were both LET products not Letov (as was the LG-425 Sohaj 3), and the LG-130 Kmotr (or Z-130) was a product of Moravan Otrokovice (aka Zlin).

Click to expand...

Thank you my dear Apophenia,

L-21 sailplane (no more info)
L-33 (E-33) experimental aircraft from L-200
LC-35 mid-wing twin engined cargo aircraft
L-36 low-wing agricultural aircraft,replaced by Z-37
L-300 developed version of L-210

Hesham, do you have a source for that L-36 ag plane?

The others weren't Letov designs. The L-21 Spartak, L-33 Solo, and L-300 were all by LET. The LC-35 project was by Aero.

Hi,

there is some confusing in L series,and for L-36,its source is the book,
General Aviation by Rod Simpson.

Apophenia said:

Great stuff redstar72! Does Nĕmeček provid any images of these projects?

Click to expand...

Yes of course, he does! See them here: http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,9733.0.html.

Hi,

S.9 for 30-passenger
S.10 trainer aircraft
S.11 twin-engined commercial monoplane,may be never completed

Thanks Hesham. As noted, the airliner version of Letov's S-9 bomber project may have been the S-15 'layout 2'. Or, perhaps, S-9 and S-15 were used interchangibly?

Hi,


L-18 high-wing twin boom light transport aircraft,powered by two engines
L-23 sailplane
L-110 all metal low-wing four seat single engined light aircraft
L-410 & L-420 well known twin engined short range transport aircraft
L-420E & L-420 XXL a developed version of L-410
L-430 was a stretch version of L-410,powered by two turboprop engines
L-450 was a developed project of L-410
L-510 19-seat all metal high-wing pressurized commuter aircraft project,powered by two
turboprop engines
L-539 a single engined business jet aircraft,use the L-39 Albatros parts
L-610 well known twin engined high-wing turboprop medium transport aircraft

hesham said:

Hi,

L-18 high-wing twin boom light transport aircraft,powered by two engines
L-23 sailplane
L-110 all metal low-wing four seat single engined light aircraft
L-410 & L-420 well known twin engined short range transport aircraft
L-420E & L-420 XXL a developed version of L-410
L-430 was a stretch version of L-410,powered by two turboprop engines
L-450 was a developed project of L-410
L-510 19-seat all metal high-wing pressurized commuter aircraft project,powered by two
turboprop engines
L-539 a single engined business jet aircraft,use the L-39 Albatros parts
L-610 well known twin engined high-wing turboprop medium transport aircraft

Click to expand...

Dear Hesham,
LET Kunovice and Letov (Prague-Letňany) are two totally different companies!

My dear Redstar72,


of course I know that,but we put them in same topic.

Hi,


S-26 was developed from S-16 as a modern version,Project.


S-34 was three engined heavy bomber developed from S-30,Project.


S-40 was twin engined twin boom 18-passenger light transport aircraft Project.


S-42 was twin engined twin boom medium bomber developed from S-40,Project.


S-132 was developed from S-15 as transport and bomber aircraft,in both version,Project.


Letectvi magazine

Hi,


here is the Letov MO-9,may be a sailplane.

Desined by Oldrich Mayer, hence the designation M.O.

Thank you my dear Maveric.

Hi,

for L designation,we can say,there was;

L-11,L-13,L-21,L-22,L-42,L-43,L-48,L-52,L-53,LA-54,LA-58,L-101,L-103,L-105,L-106,LF-107,LF-108,LF-109,L-115 ?,
L-152,L-154,L-158,L-201,L-202,LF-207,L-290,L-301 & L-501.

For LA P series;

LA P1 was twin-boom transport high-wing monoplane Project,the same as L-106
LA P2 ------?
LA P3 was advanced trainer jet aircraft Project of 1949, similar to de Havilland Vampire
LA P4 was advanced trainer Project,with two piston engines
LA P5 ------?
LA P6 ------?
LA P7 was a multiplace twin-engined training aircraft Project,developed from LA-58,the same as L-158
LA P8 was a Si-204-like twin-engined bomber/recon trainer, concurent to LE P4; V-6 engines
LA P8D was a passenger variant of LA P8
LA P80 ------?
LA P9 was a tandem two-seat low-wing fighter/trainer jet aircraft Project,powered by BMW M-003 engine

Who can complete the gaps ?.

There are two design groups mixed together, LA (formerly Letov people) and LE (formerly Avia). I'll write here everything I have for both.
LE P3 - advanced trainer similar to de Havilland Vampire, engine BMW 003
- LE P3.1 - side-by-side seats, air intake in the nose
- LE P3.2 - tandem seats, air intakes in the sides
- LE P3.3 - single tail boom mounted above the engine, everything else like P3.2
- LE P3.4 - twin fuselage, engine mounted in the middle
LE P4 - twing-engined bomber/recon trainer, two Walter V-6 engines
- LE P4B - variant with fully glazed nose Ju-188-style
LE P6 - passenger variant of LE P4
LA P8 - Si-204-like twing-engined bomber/recon trainer, concurent to LE P4; V-6 engines
- LA P8D - passenger variant of LA P8
- LA 58 - thoroughly redesigned LA P8 with Walter M-446 engines
LE P8 - jet fighter development of P3.3 with mildly swept wing and two BMW 003 engines, tail again mounted on single boom. Proposed speed 610 km/hr
LA P9 - fighter/trainer aircraft developed using tail and cockpit from LA 54 two-seater with lenghtened fuselage with new short trapezoidal wings and BMW 003 engine mounted under the cockpit.

I know nothing about P1 (except LB P1), P2, P5 or P7.

Many thanks my dear Aubi,

and there was also many unknown Projects,such as XLF-108,L-201,L-202 & L-301.

Also I will add those designation in the list.

So, LF was glider construction group that split from LA group in cca 1948 and was led by Vladimír Štros. Its known products were:

LF-107 Luňák - aerobatic glider, 75 built (by former Letov)
LF-108 - high performance glider project
LF-109 Pionýr - training glider, cca 470 built (by Let Kunovice and Aero/Orličan Choceň)
XLF-207 Laminár - prototype, Luňák with laminar flow wing
_______________________
L-201 and L-202 are "Letov" projects from 1946-1948, but details unknown
L-301 might be more correctly LA 301, details unknown
L-101 seems to be "Aero" project (LB group?)
L-105 seems to be "Aero" project (LB group?)
L-290 was "based" on the Ju 290 in the sense that it was wrecked Ju 290 rebuilt by Letov with missing parts manufactured according to original docmentation

Apophenia said:

Letov L-101 - feeder liner, 2 x Argus As.410, 12-passenger

Click to expand...

redstar72 said:

Letov L-105 (1946) - ultralight sport aircraft made of laminated wood. One-man crew, 25-hp Walter A engine, maximum speed 136 km/h.

Click to expand...

Thank yoiu my dear Aubi,

but how come,the L-101 and L-105 was a Letov Projects ?.

I found online listing for Bittner's collection of National Technic Museum in Prague, where are mentioned documents or funds designated
Československo - Letecké závody n. p. Praha-Vysočany (dříve Aero) - L 101 1948-1950
Československo - Letecké závody n. p. Praha-Vysočany (dříve Aero) - L 105 1946

Link for the document: http://docplayer.cz/24086444-Bittnerova-sbirka-sbirka-la.html

On the other hand, Letov L-101 has its own wiki page:

The listing in the archive might be wrongly atributed.

Letov L-105 is mentioned in content of some book I also found online, but there's no mention of the name of this book so i can't check what is there about the L-105. In any way ,seems that the listing above ( "(dříve Aero) - L 105 ") is wrong.
Edit: Sportovní a cvičná letadla - Alois Pavlůsek. Bittner's collection is wrong.

My dear Aubi,

also in Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation 1995,I have this PDF of the National Technic Museum from long
time,and from a book; Nemecek Vaclav Ceskoslovenska letadla_2,the L-105 was under Letov section ?.

From FR 1985/8.

Hi,
Letov L-103 1946, 35-seat twin-engined airliner with pressurized cabin.
From: L+K

Sarastro posted his list of Letov designation numbers. That was my prompt to revise and update my designation list (reply #2).
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/letov-projects.5816/#post-449675

I've taken the opportunity to rationalize (standardize?) my Letov list while ditching all of those now-useless Flight Archive links.