Engineering: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
Primary user	Czechoslovakian Air Force
Number built	28 Š-1, 64 Š-2

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

Sm A 1

Commercial variant. Canopy over rear cockpit for two passengers.

Specifications (Š-1)

Data from The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 8.3 m (27 ft 3 in)
• Wingspan: 13.23 m (43 ft 5 in)
• Height: 3.1 m (10 ft 2 in)
• Empty weight: 861 kg (1,898 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 1,375 kg (3,031 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Hiero L 6-cylinder water-cooledin-line piston engine, 169 kW (227 hp)
• Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller

Performance

• Maximum speed: 194 km/h (121 mph, 105 kn)
• Range: 715 km (444 mi, 386 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 6,000 m (20,000 ft)

Armament

Further reading

• Angelucci, Enzo (1983). The Rand McNally encyclopedia of military aircraft, 1914-1980. San Diego, California: The Military Press. ISBN 0-517-41021-4. 
• Donald, David (1997). The encyclopedia of world aircraft (Updated ed.). Ottawa: Prospero Books. ISBN 9781856053754.