Country of origin:

Czechoslovakia

Description:

Two-seat military trainer and light attack aircraft

Power Plant:

One 3,792 lbst Ivchenko AI-25TL twin-shaft turbofan

Specifications:

Armament:

One 23 mm GSh-23 cannon in under fuselage gun pod; four hardpoints on ground attack variant for light bombs or fuel tanks

History:

The L-39 Albatros series of trainer and light attack aircraft was designed and produced by Aero Vodochody in Czechoslovakia (later Czech Republic), this Company producing some 10,000 jet trainers for the world’s markets over the years. Three prototypes were constructed, the second of these being the first to fly on 4 November 1968, the first and third being for structural testing. Four further prototypes were constructed for the test flying programme, and in late 1972 approval was given to commence production for the air forces of the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia and East Germany. Seating was in tandem in zero-height ejection seats, the instructor’s seat being elevated to improve forward view. Construction was modular, being in three major sub-assemblies: wing, fuselage and rear fuselage/tail unit.

Between 1973 and 1990 Aero delivered 2,094 L-39s to the Soviet Union, 12 L-39Cs to Afghanistan in 1977, 24 to Ethiopia in 1980, 10 more to Ethiopia in 1983, 24 to Vietnam in 1980, and 30 to Cuba in 1982. The type was unusual in that, because of the location of the air intakes over the wings, virtually the chances of debris ingestion was almost eliminated, and it was able to, and routinely was, flown from grass strips. Further, the L-39 was the world’s first high-performance trainer with a turbofan engine, the AI-25TL also being used in the Soviet Yak 40B transport. A small auxiliary power unit (APU) made the aircraft independent of ground power for engine starting and other services.

The type has become quite popular in the west as a warbird, with examples privately owned in the United States and Great Britain, a few being used on film work, including a “James Bond” film. Variants included the L-39V for target towing and the L-39ZO with simple ground-attack capabilities, including provision for a 23 mm GSh-23 cannon, and underwing pylons. The L-39ZO was supplied to Iraq (81), East Germany (52), Libya (181) and Syria (55).

Next variant was the L-39ZA, a dedicated light attack aircraft with a stronger undercarriage and empty weight increased to 3,656 kg (8,060 lb). Examples were supplied to Syria (4), Romania (32), Nigeria (24), Bulgaria (36), Algeria (32) and Thailand (36). By the end of 1994 2,828 examples of the L-39 series had been built when production switched to the L-59 series, and later the L-139 series, the latter being fitted with a Garrett AiResearch TFE73-4 turbofan to make it more attractive to western orientated air forces. Final variant was the L-39MS with a 4,850 lbst Ivchenko/Lotaev DV-2 turbofan. Examples of this model were supplied to Egypt (48) and Tunisia (23).

A number of examples of the type have been imported for private operators in this region, the first being assembled at Bankstown, NSW in early 1999 as VH-ATD (c/n 432909), registered to Sterling Aviation of Georges Hall, NSW, this aircraft being badly damaged in an accident at Goulburn in 2005 and being converted to components.

Further examples later arrived in Queensland and Western Australia, becoming VH-SIC (c/n 433144) registered to Flying Fighters of Sunnybank, QLD; VH-HOT (332516) registered to Wyllie of Cloisters Square, WA; VH-VRO (c/n 834424) registered to Warbird Aviation of Brookfield, QLD.

First of the type in New Zealand became ZK-LLR which in November 2004 became ZK-WLM (c/n 332701 – ex-N39AQ) with B-B Aviation Limited of Wanaka; followed by ZK-VLK (c/n 332630 – ex N139POV) with Oilfield Equipment Rentals Ltd of New Plymouth in November 2004; ZK-TCS (c/n 131848) in January 2007 with the Copter Shop Ltd of Nelson; and ZK-KEE (c/n 834408) with Air Action Pty Ltd of Wanaka, which in May 2007 crossed the Tasman to become VH-KEE.

L-39C VH-LCJ (c/n 232155) was registered tp Charles Camilleri of Bathurst, NSW; L-39C VH-NLD (c/n 132037) to Flycom Rentals in October 2007, and another at that time was awaiting restoration at Cowra, NSW.  Another became VH-TNW (c/n 792329), and in late 2011 a further example became VH-JTS (c/n 131911 – N39P, N95BF) on 9 December 2011 to its owner in Queensland.

Three are operated by Air Combat Australia from Camden, NSW on joy flights, including VH-NCI (c/n 232201), VH-EKN (c/n 232206) and VH-VOD (33251 – ex N54XX), which was imported from the US and registered in November 2012 to Reha and Jai Ekinci, becoming the company’s third example of the type. VH-IOT (c/n 332516) is operated from Cessnock in the Hunter Valley on similar flights.

Another L-39C became VH-JTS (c/n 131911) on 9 December 2011 in Queensland. In February 2012 VH-KVZ (c/n 630640) was registered to K Warren of Port Lincoln, SA.

Examples of the type continue to be imported, one being registered as VH-ITN (c/n 630638 – ex N139LB, N90510) on 30 October 2012 to HFAT of Queens Park, WA.  By late 2019 some 16 examples have appeared on the Australian Civil Aircraft Register and five on the New Zealand Register.

More than 140 examples appear on the US Civil Register and at the 2003 Reno Air Races a special race has Been held for the L-39 Albatros.