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The L-39 basic and advanced jet trainer was developed at Aero Works in Vodochody, Czechoslovakia.

The aircraft first flew on November 4, 1968, replacing the Aero L-29 Delfin as teh standard jet trainer of Czechoslovakian, Soviet, and East German air forces. The Albatros quickly became a standard export platform for training and light attack purposes, and to date, more than 2,800 L-39's have been produced.

The Albatros made its first appearance in the west at the 1977 Paris Air Show, and is powered by a single 3,792 lb. thrust Ivchenko A1-25 turbofan.

An armed version of the L-39 was developed housing a 23mm Soviet GSh-23 twin barreled cannon. In addition, the aircraft has been modified to carry four UB-16-57M air-to-ground rocket pods, and infra red, AIM-9 air-to-air missiles on under wing hard points.

Countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Benin, Congo, Czech republic, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Germany, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Libya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Russia, South Yemen, Syria, Tanzanina, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Statistics:
     Accommodation: Crew of two in tandem on VS-1-BR1 rocket-assisted ejection seats, operable at zero
     heights at speeds down to 81 knots.

          Cruise Speed                    350 mph
          Max Speed: Limiting Mach      0.85
          Max Speed at Sea Level          435 mph
          Max Speed at 19,685 feet      485 mph

          Empty weight:                7,859 lbs.
          Fuel Load:                     337 gallons
          Max T.O. weight:                10,340 lbs.

          Performance
          Max rate of climb:           4,330 feet/minute
          Take off distance to 80 feet: 2,067 feet
          Landing distance:               2,264 feet
          Service ceiling:                36,100 feet
          Max Range: internal           683 miles
          Max Range: external           1,087 miles
          Max endurance:                3 hrs. 30 mins.
          Stress Load:                    +8/-4g(s)
          Stall Landing:                84 knots
          Stall Clean:                    97 knots