Letov Å -1
In the Czech Aircraft Letov Š -1 is a single-engine, two-seat biplane that was used for military reconnaissance. The first flight of the machine took place in April 1920. It is the first production model of the company Letov from Prague. The design resulted from Alois Smolik. The machine was built entirely of wood that has been covered with fabric. The machine possessed behind the pilot's seat room for an observer who also served the pivotally mounted machine gun.
After the first flight of the prototype, some changes were made because the flight characteristics not satisfied.
From the series version Letov SH-1 a total of 28 units were built and delivered to the Czechoslovak army.
The version has been improved again and was then referred to as Letov SM-1. The span was slightly enlarged. Its aerodynamic changes, the travel speed increased. From this improved version again 68 were delivered.
Because after the end of World War I, especially passenger aircraft were asked, trying to equip the SM-1 closed with a 2 - seater passenger cabin instead of the observer seat. However, the flight characteristics of this variant is not satisfied, so that did not work in this version series. Nevertheless, it served as the basis for the Letov Š -2.
Military use
- Czechoslovak Air Force