Letov Š-21
Letov · Czechoslovakia · first flew 1926 · fighter
The Letov Š-21 was a Czechoslovak single-seat biplane fighter developed in 1926 by the Prague-based Letov company, designed to equip the nascent Czechoslovak Air Force with a modern fighter in the late 1920s.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Czech interwar biplane fighter
- Radial engine with ring cowling
- Fixed undercarriage with wheel fairings
A compact single-seat biplane fighter with a radial engine, fixed undercarriage, and open cockpit — typical of interwar Czech military aviation designs from the Letov stable.
Specifications
- The Letov Š-21 has a length of 7 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.7 m (32 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 245 km/h (152 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by Alois Šmolík at Letov, the Š-21 was part of a series of single-seat biplane fighters built for Czechoslovak service. It competed with designs from other manufacturers and saw service with the Czechoslovak Air Force before being superseded by monoplane types.
Variants
The Letov Š series included several variants; the Š-21 was followed by the Š-31 and other improved types in the same design lineage.
Where you'll see it
Served with the Czechoslovak Air Force in the late 1920s and early 1930s; not widely exported.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.