Jens Schymura and Holger Stüben visited Náměšt nad Oslavou Air Base
to report on the 40th anniversary of the first L-39 flight

The Czechoslovakian L-39 was built by the traditional Czech manufacturer Aero Vodochody as the successor to their earlier trainer, the L-29 Delfin. Design work began in 1966, and the first prototype made its maiden flight on 4th of November 1968. It was the first of the famous L-39 family. More than 2900 L-39 delivered between 1971 and 1999, still serving with over 30 air forces around the world. Today the Czech Air Force L-39s are based at the 22.Základna Letectva at Náměšt nad Oslavou. For the 40th anniversary of the first L-39 flight the 221 squadron decorated the 2433 a L-39ZA with a special painted tail. The chief constructor of L-39 programme Jan Vlcek is seen on the left side and the Albatross on the right side.

We would like to thank Mrs Lida Formankova and npor. Pavel Linhart for helping during our visit