Markings for L-39ZA Albatros 1/72

L-39ZA, s/n 915254, 222 Training Squadron, Náměšť nad Oslavou AFB, Czech Republic, 2008-2010

The Albatros s/n 233903 made its first flight on October 13, 1986. The aircraft served with 30 Air Attack Regiment at Pardubice, then at 32 Air Tactical Base Náměšť nad Oslavou (later redesignated 22 Air Base) and finished its career with 21 Air Tactical Base Čáslav. Among the highlights of its operations is a test flight with modified AI-25TL engine after a series of so-called titanium fires in the second half of the 1990s. Col (Ret.) Oldřich Pelčák, an astronaut of the reserve crew, participated in these tests. On October 24, 2016, Albatros No. 3903 made its last flight. After 30 years of operation, it accumulated 3644 hours and 40 minutes of flight time. The surface of the aircraft showed significant signs of repairs, during which paints of different shades were used. The “zebra” stripes on the top of the fin appeared in mid-October 2009 as an initiative by ground staff. The idea was made for the joke, combining the symbols of the squadrons of AFB Čáslav, i. e., tiger and a winged horse Pegasus in their emblem. The stripes were sprayed on three aircraft, namely 3903, 2344 and 2436. But only 3903 had them in green, as it flew with a green top of the fin. Nonetheless the stripes did not last too long on the aforementioned aircraft as they were ordered to be removed by high brass – to the displeasure of the ground staff.

L-39ZA, No. s/n 232436, 2436, 1 Fighter Squadron, Žatec AFB, Czechoslovakia, 1991-1993

The L-39ZA Albatros s/n 232436 was delivered to the 2 Squadron, 30 Air Regiment in Hradec Králové on December 28, 1982. During the autumn of 1984 it was transferred to the 11 Sqn in Žatec and consequently was relocated to the 5 Sqn at Pilsen-Líně airbase at the end of November 1984. It was used in the system of the western border air defense, in one case with the use of live weapons. This incident occurred on September 28, 1985, when Lt. Piskatý took off to take an action against US AH-1S Cobra helicopter. The pilot of the Albatros fired S-5 unguided missiles at the helicopter in the area of Knížecí Pláně over Šumava mountains. Three years later, on April 10, 1988, the same aircraft, flown by Col Petřík, took off against West German sport aircraft with a pair of inexperienced pilots who were forced to land at the airport in Karlovy Vary. After the first overhaul at LOT Trenčín in 1989, the 2436 received “tiger” markings and participated in events in the UK. After the disbandment of the 5 Sqn in 1991 and then the 11 Sqn in 1993, it changed several units. It served with the 4 Independent Fighter Squadron, initially based in Přerov and then in Čáslav. From January 1995 it served with the 41 Fighter Sqn at the 4 Fighter AB in Čáslav and on January 30, 2001, it was transferred to the 32 Tactical Air Base in Náměšt' nad Oslavou. After a collision on September 15, 2007, the 2436 was decommissioned with a total of 3,926 hours flown and 5,138 landings. Since 2018 it has been in the collections of VHÚ Praha.

L-39ZA, s/n 035019, 213 Training Squadron, Čáslav AFB, Czech Republic, 2008-2010

On November 4, 1968, a test pilot of the VZLU Ing. Rudolf Duchoň made a maiden flight of the first prototype of the Aero L-39 Albatros trainer marked X-02. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of this event, the Albatros 035019, belonging to the 213 Training Squadron of the 21 Tactical Air Base in Čáslav, received an anniversary marking, which was a modification of the X-02 prototype’s livery from the period of its first flights, i.e. white-gray-red-black colors. On the left side of the vertical fin a depiction of a Slovak Air Force pilot in his current gear was painted with a reflection of the new generation L-39 on the visor of his helmet. On the right side there was portrayed Rudolf Duchoň, as he was taken on the photo on the day of the first L-39 takeoff.

L-39ZA, s/n 035147, No. 147, 299 brTA, Graf Ignatievo AB, Bulgaria, 2015

The Bulgarian Air Force ordered thirty-six L-39ZAs, which were delivered by the manufacturer Aero Vodochody between 1986 and 1990. They were used for advanced pilot training and as light attack aircraft by air units at Kamenets, Bezmer/Yambol and Graf Ignatievo airfields. Between 1995 and 2000, a number of L-39s were relocated to fighter bases to operate alongside fighter aircraft. These bases were located at Cheshengirovo, Dobrich and Ravents airfields. In 1997, six of these were sold to Cambodia and in 2001, six more were sold to the USA. A small number of L-39 trainers are permanently stationed at Graf Ignatievo to supplement training activities and often participate in combined missions with MiG-29s and F-16s.

L-39ZA, s/n 533218, No. 145, Military Flight Academy, Grupul 20, Borcea-Fetesti AB, Romania, 2012

L-39 ZA aircraft operated in the Romanian Air Force from 1982 to 2007. The first L-39 ZA Albatros arrived in Romania in early December 1981 and immediately joined the newly established 20 Fighter and Fighter-Bomber Group’s flight school, operating out of Boboc Airport. A total of 32 units of the L-39ZA variant were purchased. The aircraft with fuselage number 145 entered service on April 6, 1985 and made its last flight in December 2007. It was then sold to a private entity.

L-39ZA/ART, s/n 533218, 411 Sqn, 3 Air Division, 41 Wing, Chiang Mai AB, Thailand, 2014

The Royal Thai Air Force operated L-39ZA/ART aircraft at two airbases. The majority of them were stationed at Korat Air Base in the central part of Thailand, which serves as an RTAF showcase, hosting foreign delegations and conducting joint exercises with neighboring countries. The second base was Takhli, located about 200 km to the west, where the aircraft were used for operational flights. The L-39ZA aircraft were initially used by the 101 and 102 Squadrons in Korat, then by the 401 Squadron in Thakli, and the 411 Squadron in Chiang Mai. The RTAF received a total of 40 L-39 aircraft by 1994, with about five lost in accidents. On the occasion of anniversaries, some aircraft were presented in special liveries featuring emblems of all four squadrons. On March 31, 2021, the Royal Thai Air Force held the ceremony on the occasion of the Aero L-39ZA/ART retirement from the active duty. The last operator was the 411 Squadron, 41 Wing, based in Chiang Mai.