Letov Š-1
| Letov Š-1 | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Prototype Letov Š.A. with Hiero-L motor |
|
| Type: | Reconnaissance plane |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
May 8, 1920 |
| Number of pieces: |
approx. 96 |
The Czechoslovakian aircraft Letov Š-1 is a single-engine, two-seat biplane that was used for military reconnaissance.
development
The first flight of the machine took place on May 8, 1920. The machine was controlled by Klement Adamec, the manager of the arsenal, while the designer Alois Šmolík sat in the observer's seat. It is the first serial sample from Letov from Prague . The machine was made entirely of wood, which was covered with fabric. The observer sitting behind the pilot operated a pivoting machine gun .
On May 20, 1920, the aircraft was presented to an examination board of the Ministry of Defense, where the prototype was damaged when the landing gear broke off and the fuselage was damaged. During the repair, some design changes were made to further improve the flight characteristics. The shape of the tail unit was changed and a new propeller made according to the specifications of Alois Šmolík was added.
On May 25, 1920 the Ministry of Defense decided to start series production and on May 28, 1920 ordered the first five machines Š.1.01 – Š.1.05. They carried the hull designation Š-H-1.1 to Š-H-1.5 (with the H indicating the engine used) based on the identification system of the former kuk - aviation forces. In 1921 another 23 series aircraft followed, so that a total of 28 Šm.1 (fuselage designation: Š-H-1.1 to Š-H-1.28) were delivered. After that, the production of the Šm.1 had to be stopped because there were no more Hiero-L engines.
A civil aircraft, the Šm.a1 (license plate: L-BSEE), a touring aircraft for two passengers in a closed cabin, was built at their own expense. However, it remained with a single piece.
.jpg)
Military use
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Dates (Letov Šm-1) |
|---|---|
| crew | 2 |
| length | 8.31 m |
| span | 13.23 m |
| height | 3.20 m |
| Wing area | 33.89 m² |
| Wing loading | 40.6 kg / m² |
| Empty mass | 861 kg |
| Max. Takeoff mass | 1375 kg |
| Cruising speed | 168 km / h |
| Top speed | 194 km / h |
| Rise time | 52 min at 5000 m altitude |
| Service ceiling | 6000 m |
| Range | 715 km |
| Engines | 1 × 6-cylinder in-line engine Breitfeld & Daněk Hiero L with 169 kW (230 PS) |
| Armament | 1 × MG or 1 twin MG up to 250 kg bombs |
See also
literature
- Enzo Angelucci: The Rand McNally Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft. 1914-1980. The Military Press, San Diego 1983, ISBN 0-517-41021-4 .
- David Donald: The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Prospero Books, Ottawa 1997, ISBN 1-85605-375-X .
- Jaroslav Zvěřina: Letov . 100 let od založení první československé továrny na letadla. Magnet Press, Bratislava, 2019, ISBN 978-80-89169-63-4
Web links
- LETOV Š-1 on vinar.cz (Czech)