Letov Š-18

Infobox Aircraft
name=Letov Š-218


caption=
type=Primary trainer
manufacturer=Letov Kbely
designer=
first flight=
introduced=
retired=
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primary user=Czechoslovakian Air Force
more users=Finnish Air Force
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variants with their own articles=The Letov Š-18 was a Czechoslovak single-engined, two-seat biplane trainer. It was designed by Alois Smolík at Letov Kbely. Š-18 first flew in 1925.

The aircraft was quite successful and sold well both to private pilots and to flight clubs. Apart from the basic variant there was also still the type Š-118, which was equipped with a Walter NZ-85 engine (85 hp, 63 KW). Some machines were exported to Bulgaria. The Czechoslovakian Air Force used the type 1925 to 1930 as a beginner trainer aircraft.

A complete reconstruction of the fuselage led to the Š-218, which had a steel tube frame and was equipped with a Walter NZ-120 engine (120 hp, 88 KW). The first flight of this type took place in 1926.

In 1929, one Š-218 Smolik was presented at Helsinki International Air Show. The Finnish Air Force showed interest in the type and purchased it in March, 1930, in order to test it. Nine more were soon ordered along with the manufacturing license. The nine aircraft ordered from Czechoslovakia arrived to Kauhava Aviation School in May-June, 1931. The Finnish State Aircraft Factory manufactured 29 slightly modified aircraft in three series. The first ten were ready in 1933, the second series of ten aircraft were ready in 1935, and nine more in the following year. The Finnish version, which was equipped with a Bramo radial engine of 145 hp (110 kW) could develop a maximum speed of 154 km/h (83 knots, 96 mph). The type was in service with the Finnish Air Force as a primary trainer between 1930 - 1945. One aircraft is still preserved at the Finnish Aviation museum in Vantaa and one replica is being built in Finland (as of 2005).

Versions

*Letov Š-18
*Letov Š-118
*Letov Š-218 Smolik

Operators

*BUL
*CZS
*FIN: 39 aircraft

pecifications (Š-218 Smolik)

aircraft specifications

plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=prop

ref=Fact|date=February 2007

crew=2
capacity=
length main=6.90 m
length alt=22 ft 8 in
span main=10.00 m
span alt=32 ft 10 in
height main=
height alt=
area main=16.30 m²
area alt=175.4 ft²
airfoil=
empty weight main=510 kg
empty weight alt=1,124 lb
loaded weight main=
loaded weight alt=
useful load main=
useful load alt=
max takeoff weight main=742 kg
max takeoff weight alt=1,636 lb
more general=

engine (prop)=Walter NZ
type of prop=radial engine
number of props=1
power main=90 kW
power alt=120 hp
power original=

max speed main=
max speed alt=
cruise speed main=150 km/h
cruise speed alt=81 knots, 93 mph
range main=375 km
range alt=200 nm, 230 mi
ceiling main=4,000 m
ceiling alt=13,125 ft
climb rate main=
climb rate alt=
loading main=
loading alt=
power/mass main=
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more performance=

armament=

avionics=

ee also

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