Letov Š-328
Letov · Czechoslovakia · first flew 1933 · bomber
The Letov Š-328 was a Czechoslovak biplane designed for army cooperation, light bombing, and reconnaissance, powered by a Bristol Pegasus radial engine licence-built in Czechoslovakia. It was the standard Czech army cooperation aircraft of the 1930s and saw service in several air forces.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 10.36 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- 1930s Czech biplane army cooperation and light bomber
- Single radial engine, fixed undercarriage with large fairings
- Twin open cockpits in tandem with observer/gunner position aft
Unequal-span biplane with a prominent radial engine, fixed spatted undercarriage, and tandem open cockpits; the upper wing is larger than the lower, giving it a distinctive stagger.
Specifications
- The Letov Š-328 has a length of 10.36 m (34 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.71 m (45 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 280 km/h (174 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Entering service with the Czechoslovak Air Force around 1934, the Š-328 equipped numerous squadrons and was also exported to Bulgaria and Finland. After the German occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1939, captured examples were taken over by the Luftwaffe and Slovak Air Force, with some seeing action on the Eastern Front.
Variants
Several sub-variants existed with different engine fits, float undercarriages for seaplane operations, and equipment configurations; the basic design remained consistent throughout.
Where you'll see it
Served with Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, and Finland; post-occupation examples operated by Germany and Slovakia during World War II. None remain in operational service.
Related aircraft
- Letov Š-231
- Letov Š-39
- Letov Š-31
- Letov Š-50
- Aero A.100
- Bloch MB.200
- Boulton Paul P.75 Overstrand
- Curtiss A-12 Shrike
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