Letov S-231
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History Based on previous type S-131 and modified according to the demand of MNO (National Ministry of Defence) for modernization of Czechoslovak Air Force the aircraft company Letov developed new fighter S-231. Its prototype first flown on 17. March 1933 by factory pilot Kovanda. On July 21 1933 the prototype was handed over to VTLÚ (Aviational Technical Research Laboratory), where in short time died pilot sgt. R. Cernin in a crash.
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During the testing the construction was changed several times and even though the factory got the order for serial production of another prototype and 23 machines, work lasted till 1935. Because the Air Force tested the second prototype very carefully and on November 3 approved the technical and safety conditions. |
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Serial aircraft went to service in 1936 and were used by k 35.a 36.Fighter Squadron of 2. Wing in Olomouc (code letters F and G). But in winter 1936/1937 MNO decided to sell them to Spanish Republican Air Force. The aircraft were painted, disassembled and shipped via Lithunia to Spain. First seven aircraft went to the airfield in Bilbao where the machines were completed without any technical documentation and then transferred to airfield Carreño. There were two aircraft lost probably due to errors in completion and later two more were lost in accidents. |
| The rest served (one of the pilots was later ace Miguel Zambudio), but no details are known. |
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Ten more machines appeared in second half of 1937 in Cartagéña, where they were completed Secunda Eskadrilla as a part of 71.Air group under comand of cpt. José Bastida. This machines were most probably destroyed together with other aircraft of the group in Bañolas in February 1939. Technical description Steel frame of fuselage, wings and tail was covered with fabric but the top part of the fuselage that was covered with dural panels. The plane had fixed undercarriage with tail skid. Left-rotating engine had wooden propeller. |
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Technical description Steel frame of fuselage, wings and tail was covered with fabric but the top part of the fuselage that was covered with dural panels. The plane had fixed undercarriage with tail skid. Left-rotating engine had wooden propeller. |
| Wing span | 10,06 m - 33ft 06inch |
| Lenght | 7,87 m - 25ft 10in |
| Height | 3,04 m |
| Wing area | 21,50 m2 |
| Weight empty | 1350 kg |
| Loaded | 1872 kg |
| Speed max./cruising | 348 km/h- 188 kts / 310 km/h- 168 kts |
| Climb | - |
| Ceiling | 9000 m - 29500 ft |
| Range | 560 km |
| Engine | Walter Mercury V-S2 kW / 560 HP |
| Arnament | 2-4x mk-30 7,92 mm |