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Aero L-29 Delfín

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L-29 Delfín
Aero L-29 Delfín
Role Militarytrainer aircraft
Light attack
Manufacturer Aero Vodochody
Designer Ing. Jan Vlček, Z. Rublič and K. Tomáš[1]
First flight 5 April 1959
Introduction 1961
Status Limited service; popular civilianwarbird
Primary users Soviet Air Force(historical)
Czechoslovak Air Force(historical)
Bulgarian Air Force(historical)
Egyptian Air Force(historical)
Produced 1963–1974
Number built 3,665[1]

TheAero L-29 Delfín(English:Dolphin,NATO reporting name:Maya) is a militaryjet trainerdeveloped and manufactured byCzechoslovakianaviation manufacturerAero Vodochody.It is the country's first locally designed and constructedjetaircraft, as well as likely being the biggest aircraft industrial programme to take place in any of theCouncil for Mutual Economic Assistance(COMECON) countries except the Soviet Union.[2]

In response to a sizable requirement for a common jet-propelled trainer to be adopted across the diverse nations of theEastern Bloc,Aero decided to embark upon their own design project with a view to suitably satisfying this demand. On 5 April 1959, an initial prototype, designated as theXL-29,performed itsmaiden flight.The L-29 was selected to become the standard trainer for the air forces ofWarsaw Pactnations, for which it was delivered from the 1960s onwards. During the early 1970s, the type was succeeded in the principal trainer role by another Aero-built aircraft, theL-39 Albatros,heavily contributing to a decline in demand for the earlier L-29 and the end of its production during 1974.[3]

During the course of the programme, in excess of 3,000 L-29 Delfín trainers were produced. Of these, around 2,000 were reported to have been delivered to the Soviet Union, where it was used as the standard trainer for theSoviet Air Force.Of the others, which included both armed and unarmed models, many aircraft were delivered to the various COMECON countries while others were exported to various overseas nations, includingEgypt,Syria,Indonesia,NigeriaandUganda.[2]Reportedly, the L-29 has been used in active combat during several instances, perhaps the most high-profile being the use of Nigerian aircraft during theNigerian Civil Warof the late 1960s and of Egyptian L-29s againstIsraelitanksduring the briefYom Kippur Warof 1973.

Development[edit]

Aero L-29 at Kaunas airport
A private L-29 Delfín at the 2006MiramarAir Show.

In the late 1950s, theSoviet Air Forcecommenced a search for a suitable jet-powered replacement for its fleet ofpiston-enginedtrainers; over time, this requirement was progressively broadened towards the goal of developing a trainer aircraft that could be adopted and in widespread use throughout the nationalair forcesof theEastern Bloccountries. Around the same time, the nation ofCzechoslovakiahad also been independently developing its own requirements for a suitable jet successor to its current propeller-powered trainer aircraft.[1]In response to these demands, Aero decided to develop its own aircraft design; the effort was headed by a pair of aerospace engineers, Z. Rublič and K. Tomáš.[1]Their work was centered upon the desire to produce a single design that would be suitable both performing basic and advanced levels of the training regime, carrying pilots straight through to being prepared to operate frontline combat aircraft.[4]

The basic design concept was to produce a straightforward, easy-to-build and operate aircraft. Accordingly, both simplicity and ruggedness were stressed in the development process, leading to the adoption of manual flight controls, largeflaps,and the incorporation of perforatedairbrakespositioned on thefuselagesides. Aerodynamically, the L-29 was intentionally designed to possess stable and docile flight characteristics; this decision contributed to an enviable safety record for the type. The sturdy L-29 was able to operate under austere conditions, including performing take-offs from grass, sand or unpreparedfields.[4]On 5 April 1959, the prototypeXL-29conducted itsmaiden flight,powered by a BritishBristol Siddeley Viperturbojetengine.[2][4]The second prototype, which flew shortly thereafter, was instead powered by the Czech-designedM701engine. The M-701 engine was used in all subsequent aircraft.

During 1961, a small pre-production batch of L-29s were evaluated against thePolishPZL TS-11 Iskraand theRussianYakovlev Yak-30,the main rival submissions for theWarsaw Pact's standardised trainer. Shortly after the completion of the fly-offs, it was announced that the L-29 had been selected as the winner; according to aviation author John C. Fredrikson, this outcome had been highly unexpected and surprising to several observers.[1]Regardless of the result, Poland chose to continue to pursue the development and procurement of the TS-11; however, all of the other Warsaw Pact countries decided to adopt the Delfín under the agreements ofCOMECON.

During April 1963, full-scale production of the L-29 commenced; 3,600 aircraft were manufactured over a production run of 11 years. During its production life, several derivatives of the L-29 were developed, such as a dedicated, single-seat,aerobaticversion, which was designated as theL-29AAkrobat.Another model, an armedreconnaissanceversion complete with multiple downwards-lookingcamerasinstalled in the rear cockpit position, referred to as theL-29R,was also under development; however, during 1965, the L-29R project was terminated.[4]Optional armaments could be installed upon some models, consisting of either a detachablegun podor a pod containing up to four unguidedmissiles,which could be set uponhardpointsunderneath each wing.

Design[edit]

The Aero L-29 Delfín was a jet-powered trainer aircraft, known for its straightforward and simplistic design and construction. In terms of its basic configuration, it used a mid-wing matched with aT-tailarrangement; the wings wereunsweptand accommodated air intakes for the engines within thewing roots.Theundercarriagewas reinforced and capable of withstanding considerable stresses. According to Fredriksen, the L-29 was relatively underpowered, yet exhibited several favourable characteristics in its flight performance, such as its ease of handling.[1]The primary flying controls are manually operated; both theflapsandairbrakeswere actuated viahydraulicsystems.[5]

Production aircraft were powered by the Czech-designedMotorlet M-701turbojetengine, which was capable of generating up to 1,960lbf of thrust. Between 1961 and 1968, approximately 9,250 engines were completed; according to reports, no fewer than 5,000 of these engines were manufactured in support of the Delfín programme.[2][6]The studentpilotand their instructor were placed in atandemseating layout underneath separatecanopies,the instructor being placed in a slightly elevated position to better oversee the student. Both the student and instructor were provisioned withejection seats;these were intentionally interlinked to fire in a synchronised manner if either seat was deployed as to eliminate any possibility of a mid-air collision between the two ejector seats.[1][4]

During their late life, many L-29s were resold onto private operators and have seen use in the civil sector.[5]It has become common for various modifications to be carried out to convert the type for such use; these changes would commonly include the removal of military-orientated equipment (such as thegun sight), the replacement of themetricaltimeterswith Western counterparts, the addition of alternative radio systems, and new ejection seats. It was also routine for several subsystems, such as the oxygen system, to be disabled rather than removed.[5]

Operational history[edit]

L-29 Delfín ZK-SSU

In excess of 2,000 L-29 Delfins were ultimately supplied to the Soviet Air Force. Like the majority of Soviet-operated aircraft, it acquired its ownNATOreporting name, "Maya."[4]In the trainer role, the L-29 enabled air forces to adopt an "all-through" training regime using only jet-powered aircraft, entirely replacing earlier piston-engined types.

The Delfín served in basic, intermediate and weapons training roles. For this latter mission, they were equipped withhardpointsto carry gunpods, bombs or rockets; according to Fredrikson, the L-29 functioned as a relatively good ground-attack aircraft when deployed as such.[1]It saw several uses in this active combat role, such as when a number of Egyptian L-29s were dispatched on attack missions againstIsraeliground forces during theYom Kippur Warof 1973. The type was also used in anger during theNigerian Civil Warof the late 1960s.[1]On 16 July 1975, a Czechoslovak Air Force L-29 reportedly shot down a Polish civilian biplane piloted by Dionizy Bielański, who had been attempting to defect to theWest.[7]

The L-29 was supplanted in the inventory of many of its operators by theAero L-39 Albatros.[4]The L-29 which was commonly used alongside the newer L-39 for a time. The type was used extensively to conduct ground attack missions in theFirst Nagorno-Karabakh Warby Azeri forces. At least 14 were shot down by Armenian air-defences, out of the total inventory of 18 L-29s; the Azeri Air Force lost large amounts of its air force due to anti aircraft fire.[8]

On 2 October 2007, an unmodified L-29 was used for the world's first jet flight powered solely by 100 per centbiodieselfuel. Pilots Carol Sugars and Douglas Rodante flew their Delphin Jet fromStead Airport,Reno, NevadatoLeesburg International Airport,Leesburg, Floridain order to promote environmentally friendly fuels in aviation.[9]

The L-29, much like its L-39 successor, has found use in air racing, some of which have been re-engined with the BritishArmstrong Siddeley Viperturbojetengine.[10][11]From 10 September to 14 September 2008, a pair of L-29s took first and second place at theReno Air Races.Both L-29s consistently posted laps at or above 500 miles per hour; former Astronaut Curt Brown took first place in "Viper," followed by Red Bull racer Mike Mangold in "Euroburner."[12]

Russia has claimed that it destroyed a pair ofGeorgianL-29s during the2008 South Ossetia war.[13]On 18 January 2015, separatist forces in theWar in Donbassclaimed that they possessed an operational L-29.[14]

Operators[edit]

Current military operators[edit]

Georgian Air Force Aero L-29
Private Aero L-29C Delfin ES-XLP
Reconnaissance Delfín
Motorlet M701 turbojet engine
Angola
National Air Force of Angola– 6 L-29s were in service as of 2022.[15]
Georgia
Army Air Section- 4 L-29s were in service as of 2022.[16]

Former military operators[edit]

Afghanistan
TheAfghan Air Forceoperated as many as 24 from 1978 to as late as 1999.[17]
Armenia
TheArmenian Air Force[citation needed]
Azerbaijan
TheAzerbaijani Air and Air Defence Force[18]
Bulgaria
Bulgarian Air Forceoperated 102 examples, delivered between 1963–1974, retired from service in 2002.[citation needed]
Czech Republic
Czech Air Force[19]
The Chinese PLAAF L-29.
People's Republic of China
PLAAFgot 4 L-29s in 1968.
Czechoslovakia
TheCzechoslovak Air Force[citation needed]
East Germany
East German Air Force[citation needed]
Egypt
Egyptian Air Force[20]– withdrawn
Ghana
Ghana Air Force[21]
Guinea
Military of Guinea[22]
Hungary
Hungarian Air Force[23]
Indonesian Air Force L-29 Delfin atDirgantara Mandala Museum
Indonesia
Indonesian Air Force[24]
Iraq
Iraqi Air Force– Received 78 L-29s between 1968 and 1974. A number were converted toUnmanned aerial vehiclesin the 1990s.[25]No longer operated
Libya
Libyan Arab Republic Air Force20 L29s recorded lost in 1987 during the final stages of theChadian–Libyan conflict[26]
Mali
Air Force of Mali– 6 in service as of December 2012.[27]
Nigeria
Nigerian Air Force[citation needed]
Romania
Romanian Air Force[28]– all the L-29s were retired in 2006
Slovakia
Slovak Air Force– after dissolution of Czechoslovakia, 16 L-29 were given to newly independentSlovak Air Force.[29]They were withdrawn in 2003.
Syria
Syrian Air Force[30]
Uganda
Ugandan Air Force[31]
Ukraine
Ukrainian Air Force[32]
Vietnam
Vietnam People's Air Force[citation needed]
United States
United States Navy[33]
Soviet Union
operated as many as 2,000

Civilian operators[edit]

An L-29 owned by theUniversity of Iowa College of Engineering,used for research and testing
Canada
  • Three private L-29s, operated byInternational Test Pilots School,Canada as Flight Test Training tools.[34]
  • Two private L-29s, operated by the ACER Cold War Museum. Ex-Bulgarian Air Force.[35]
  • Private L-29, operated by Waterloo Warbirds.[36]
Czech Republic
  • Private L-29C, OK-ATS, Czech Jet Team Žatec – Macerka.[37]Plane crashed on 10 June 2012 due to pilot negligence, both pilot and passenger died.[38]
  • Private L-29, OK-AJW, Blue Sky Service Brno – Tuřany.[39]
Denmark
  • One L-29C, OY-LSD owned by Lasse Rungholm, Niels Egelund (until 31.12.2015), Claus Brøgger and Kåre Selvejer.[40]
New Zealand
Russia
  • One civilian L-29 and one L-29 Viper operated by Feniks Aeroclub outsideMoscow[42]
Slovakia
United States
  • Two are operated by theUniversity of Iowa College of Engineering's Operator Performance Laboratory. Used as high dynamics flight research aircraft for development of pilot state characterization[46]
  • One L-29, N29CZ, is operated by World Heritage Air Museum, in Detroit, Michigan.[47]
  • One as an avionics high dynamics flight test aircraft at the Ohio University Avionics Engineering Center[48]

Accidents[edit]

  • On 18 August 2000, a privately owned L-29 was destroyed after it impacted with the water during an aerobatic display at the Eastbourne Airbourne Air Show, atEastbourne,East Sussex,England.The pilot, a former member of theRoyal Air Force's (RAF)Red Arrowsdisplay team, was killed with no visible signs of attempting to eject from the aircraft.[5]
  • On 18 September 2022, a privately-owned L-29 crashed while taking part in theReno Air Racesin Nevada, killing the pilot.[49]
  • On 12 November 2023, a privately owned L-29 crashed during an aerobatic maneuver at an air show inVilla Cañás,Argentina, killing the pilot and co-pilot.[50]

Specifications (L-29)[edit]

Data fromJane's All The World's Aircraft 1971–72[51]

General characteristics

  • Crew:2
  • Length:10.81 m (35 ft 6 in)
  • Wingspan:10.29 m (33 ft 9 in)
  • Height:3.13 m (10 ft 3 in)
  • Wing area:19.80 m2(213.1 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio:5.36:1
  • Airfoil:NACA632A217 at root, NACA 642A212 at tip
  • Empty weight:2,280 kg (5,027 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight:3,280 kg (7,231 lb)
  • Fuel capacity:962 L (254 US gal; 212 imp gal), provision for 2× 150 L (40 US gal; 33 imp gal) external tanks
  • Powerplant:1 ×Motorlet M-701c500turbojet,8.7 kN (1,960 lbf) thrust

Performance

  • Maximum speed:655 km/h (407 mph, 354 kn) at 5,000 m (16,400 ft)
  • Stall speed:130 km/h (81 mph, 70 kn) (flaps down)
  • Never exceed speed:820 km/h (510 mph, 440 kn)
  • Range:894 km (556 mi, 483 nmi) (with external tanks)
  • Endurance:2 hr 30 min
  • Service ceiling:11,000 m (36,000 ft)
  • Rate of climb:14.00 m/s (2,755 ft/min)

Armament

  • Guns:2x 7.62mm machine gun pods on hardpoints
  • Hardpoints:2
  • Rockets:8× air-to-ground rockets
  • Bombs:2× 100 kg (220 lb) bombs

See also[edit]

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References[edit]

Citations[edit]

  1. ^abcdefghiFredriksen 2001, p. 4.
  2. ^abcd"Selling to Eastern Europe."Archived2017-10-28 at theWayback MachineFlight International,13 June 1974. p. 174.
  3. ^"Prowling with Bob Lutz."Archived2017-10-28 at theWayback MachineFlying Magazine,October 1996. p. 67.
  4. ^abcdefg"L-29 DELFÍN."Archived2017-10-29 at theWayback Machinearmy.cz,Retrieved: 28 October 2017.
  5. ^abcd"AAIB Bulletin No: 3/2001: Aerovodochody L29 Delfín, G-MAYA."Archived2017-02-05 at theWayback MachineAir Accidents Investigation Branch,Retrieved: 28 October 2017.
  6. ^"History."Archived2017-10-29 at theWayback MachineGE Aviation,Retrieved: 28 October 2017.
  7. ^Cameron, Robert."New facts emerge about 1975 downing of Polish aircraft."Archived2009-04-18 at theWayback MachineCzech Radio,14 April 2009.
  8. ^"Air War over Nagorniy-Kharabakh, 1988-1994".Archivedfrom the original on 2013-06-04.Retrieved2011-02-13.
  9. ^Biello, David."Biodiesel Takes to the Sky."Archived2011-03-19 at theWayback MachineScientific American,30 November 2007.
  10. ^"PRS – What it is like."Archived2017-10-29 at theWayback Machineracingjets.com,22 June 2017.
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  12. ^Gibson, Robert "Hoot"."2008 Reno Air Races."Archived2017-10-29 at theWayback MachinePlane & Pilot,16 December 2008.
  13. ^Pike, John."Georgia Air Force".www.globalsecurity.org.Archivedfrom the original on 2009-05-15.Retrieved2009-01-16.
  14. ^"YouTube".YouTube.Archivedfrom the original on 2015-08-13.Retrieved2015-01-20.
  15. ^Hoyle 2022, p. 12
  16. ^Hoyle 2022, p. 19
  17. ^"World Air Forces Historical Listings: Afghanistan".Worldairforces.com.Retrieved2021-02-27.
  18. ^Aviation Classics - Issue 28 - Aero L-39 Albatros(PDF).Mortons Media Group Ltd. 2015.Retrieved2024-06-19.
  19. ^Flight International16–22 November 2004, pp. 53–54.
  20. ^Flight International16–22 November 2004, p. 56.
  21. ^Flight International16–22 November 2004, p. 59.
  22. ^Flight International16–22 November 2004, p. 62.
  23. ^"L-29" DOLPHIN "JET TRAINER AIRCRAFT".reptar.hu.Retrieved2021-02-27.
  24. ^"INDONESIA PURCHASES NEW JET TRAINERS FROM CZECHOSLOVAKIA | CIA FOIA (foia.cia.gov)".www.cia.gov.Archived fromthe originalon 2018-08-09.Retrieved2018-08-09.
  25. ^ValaAviation NewsMay 2003, pp. 355–357.
  26. ^K. Pollack,Arabs at War,Chapter 4.
  27. ^HoyleFlight International11–17 December 2012, p. 55.
  28. ^Flight International16–22 November 2004, pp. 81–82.
  29. ^"Slovenské vojenské letectvo v roku 1993 a dnes v číslach a obrazoch. Blog - Jozef Culák (Blog.sme.sk)".Archived fromthe originalon 15 October 2012.Retrieved3 June2012.
  30. ^Flight International16–22 November 2004, p. 88.
  31. ^Rodney Muhumuza (15 July 2007)."Force Commander Tells His Life Under Amin".Daily Monitor.Kampala. Archived fromthe originalon 7 April 2018.Retrieved25 November2019.
  32. ^Flight International16–22 November 2004, pp. 91–92.
  33. ^"Naval Air: Cruise Missile Pretenders".www.strategypage.com.Archivedfrom the original on 2010-07-01.Retrieved2010-06-29.
  34. ^"Aircraft – ITPS Canada".Retrieved2020-10-09.
  35. ^"Our Aircraft."Archived2017-12-15 at theWayback MachineACM Warbirds of Canada.
  36. ^"Waterloo Warbirds".Retrieved10 November2021.
  37. ^"Czech Jet Team | Aircrafts [sic] | L-29 | History ".Archived fromthe originalon 2009-06-03.Retrieved2008-11-18.
  38. ^Dlouhý, Hynek (2013-05-21)."Delfín spadl loni u Žatce kvůli chybě pilota".Žatecký a lounský denik.cz(in Czech). Žatec.Retrieved2023-05-26.
  39. ^"L-29 Delfín (OK-AJW) | Blue Sky Service, s.r.o."www.blueskyservice.cz.Archived fromthe originalon 30 June 2013.Retrieved26 January2022.
  40. ^"Danish register of civil aircrafts [sic] - OY-LSD - Aero L-29 Delfin ".Archivedfrom the original on 2012-04-25.Retrieved2012-01-02.
  41. ^"Soviet Star".Archived fromthe originalon 2015-01-13.Retrieved2015-01-22.
  42. ^"Аэроклуб «Феникс»".Archivedfrom the original on 2016-09-24.Retrieved2016-09-23.
  43. ^"Slota už vlastní aj stíhačku? - Pravda.sk".28 May 2009.Archivedfrom the original on 2009-05-31.Retrieved2009-05-28.
  44. ^"Novinky | Slovenské krídla s.r.o."Archived fromthe originalon 2017-03-05.Retrieved2017-03-05.
  45. ^"Návrat Delfína: Lietadlo, ktoré malo byť dávno na vrakovisku, plní zvláštnu misiu | Život.sk".Archived fromthe originalon 2017-03-05.Retrieved2017-03-05.
  46. ^"Operator Performance Laboratory."Archived2010-11-13 at theWayback MachineCollege of Engineering, University of Iowa.Retrieved: 19 June 2017.
  47. ^"Aero Vodochody L29."Archived2018-12-15 at theWayback MachineWorld Heritage Air Museum.Retrieved: 19 June 2017.
  48. ^"Delfin L-29."Archived2018-12-15 at theWayback MachineRuss College of Engineering and Technology, Ohio University.Retrieved: 19 June 2017.
  49. ^Gaffney, Melissa (2022-09-18)."Pilot killed in single-engine plane crash at Reno Air Races: CEO".ABC News.Retrieved2022-09-19.
  50. ^"Fatal accidente aéreo en Villa Cañás: dos muertos al estrellarse un avión que realizaba acrobacias en una exhibición en Santa Fe"[Fatal airplane accident in Villa Cañás: two dead as plane crashed while performing aerobatics at an exhibition in Santa Fe].Clarín(in Spanish).Santa Fe, Argentina.2023-11-12.Retrieved2023-11-12.
  51. ^Taylor 1971, p. 29.

Bibliography[edit]

  • Fredriksen, John C.International Warbirds: An Illustrated Guide to World Military Aircraft, 1914–2000.ABC-CLIO, 2001.ISBN1-576-07364-5.
  • Gunston, Bill,ed. "Aero L-29 Delfin."The Encyclopedia of World Air Power.New York: Crescent Books, 1990.ISBN0-517-53754-0.
  • Hoyle, Craig. "World Air Forces Directory".Flight International.Vol. 180, No. 5321. 13–19 December 2011. pp. 26–52. ISSN 0015-3710.
  • Hoyle, Craig. "World Air Forces Directory".Flight International.Vol. 182, No. 5370. 11–17 December 2012. pp. 40–64. ISSN 0015-3710.
  • Hoyle, Craig. "World Air Forces Directory".Flight International.Vol. 188, No. 5517. 8–14 December 2015. pp. 26–53. ISSN 0015-3710.
  • Hoyle, Craig (2022)."World Air Forces 2023".Flight International.Retrieved10 August2023.
  • "Pentagon Over the Islands: The Thirty-Year History of Indonesian Military Aviation".Air Enthusiast Quarterly(2): 154–162. n.d.ISSN0143-5450.
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  • "World Air Forces 2004"Flight International.Vol. 166, No. 4960. 16–22 November 2004. pp. 41–100. ISSN 0015-3710.

External links[edit]

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