Letov Š-1

Letov Š-1
A Letov Š-2 (re-engined Š-1) at the Kbely museum
Role	Surveillance
Manufacturer	Letov Kbely
Designer	Alois Šmolík
First flight	1920[1]
Primary user	Czechoslovakian Air Force
Number built	28 Š-1, 64 Š-2[1]

The Letov Š-1 was a Czechoslovak single-engined, two-seat biplane surveillance aircraft, it was first military aircraft built in Czechoslovakia.^[1] It was designed by Alois Šmolík at Letov Kbely. Š-1 first flew in 1920.

Variants

SH-1

127 kW (170 hp) Hiero L engines. Later redesignated Š-1. 28 built.

SM-1

194 kW (260 hp) Maybach Mb.IVa engines. Later redesignated Š-2. 64 built.^[1]

Sm A 1

Commercial variant. Canopy over rear cockpit for 2 passengers.^[1]

Specifications (Š-1)

Data from The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft^[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 8.30 m (27ft and 3in)
• Wingspan: 13.23 m (43 ft 4.75 in)
• Height: 3.10m (10ft and 2in)
• Empty weight: 861 kg ()
• Max. takeoff weight: 1,375 kg (3,031 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Hiero L 6-cylinder water-cooled inline engine, 169 kW (230 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 194 km/h (120 mph)
• Range: 715 km (445 miles)
• Service ceiling: 6,000 m^[2] (19,685 ft)

Armament

• 1x fixed machine gun
• 1x twin machine gun on swiwel mount

References

Notes

1. Donald 1997, p. 563.
2. Angelucci 1983, p. 146.

Bibliography

• Angelucci, Enzo. The Rand McNally Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft, 1914-1980. San Diego, California: The Military Press, 1983. ISBN 0-517-41021-4.
• Donald, David. The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Ottawa, Canada: Prospero Books, 1997. = ISBN 1-85605-375-X.