Letov Š-231
Letov · Czechoslovakia · first flew 1933 · fighter
The Letov Š-231 was a Czechoslovak single-seat fighter monoplane of the early 1930s, designed by Alois Šmolík and serving briefly with the Czechoslovak Air Force before being superseded by more advanced types.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.55 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Czech parasol monoplane fighter of the 1930s
- Fixed undercarriage, open cockpit
- Walter Jupiter VII radial engine
A low-wing monoplane fighter with an open cockpit, fixed undercarriage with large wheel fairings, and a prominent radial engine; the angular, slightly parasol-like wing is the key recognition feature among early Czech monoplane fighters.
Specifications
- The Letov Š-231 has a length of 7.55 m (25 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.2 m (33 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 295 km/h (183 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Letov produced several fighter designs during the interwar period for the Czechoslovak Air Force, and the Š-231 represented an attempt to move beyond biplane fighters toward a clean monoplane configuration. The type flew in the early 1930s but was quickly overtaken by faster, more capable designs from both domestic and foreign manufacturers.
Variants
The Š-231 was produced in limited numbers for Czechoslovak service; no major production sub-variants are recorded.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Czechoslovak Air Force in small numbers through the mid-1930s, the Š-231 had been replaced before the German occupation in 1938–39.
Related aircraft
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