Letov Š-39
Letov · Czechoslovakia · first flew 1931 · fighter
The Letov Š-39 was a Czechoslovak single-seat biplane fighter prototype developed by Letov in the early 1930s. It was one of a series of fighter prototypes produced by Letov as the Czechoslovak Air Force evaluated new designs.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.14 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Czechoslovak 1930s biplane fighter prototype
- Letov's series of fighter biplanes from the interwar period
- Radial engine on a single-bay biplane with spatted wheels
A conventional single-bay biplane with a radial engine and an enclosed cockpit; it resembles other Central European biplane fighters of the early 1930s and requires markings or documentation to identify it positively.
Specifications
- The Letov Š-39 has a length of 6.14 m (20 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10 m (33 ft).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Letov produced a succession of fighter prototypes through the late 1920s and 1930s. The Š-39, flown in 1931, was evaluated alongside competing designs from Avia and Aero. Czechoslovak procurement ultimately favoured other types, and the Š-39 did not enter production.
Variants
A single prototype; no production variants.
Where you'll see it
The Š-39 did not enter Czechoslovak Air Force service.
Related aircraft
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