Aero L-39, L-59, L-139, & L-159 Albatros
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
Warpaint Series 149
Author: Jakub Fojtik, Ph.D.
Publisher: Guideline Publications
ISBN: 978-1916759299
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 80
Aero Vodochody started in 1919 building biplane aircraft in Czechoslovakia, eventually transitioning to monoplanes in the late 1920s. The majority of aircraft produced were for military usage, but some were civilian types. For much of the Second World War and immediate post-war years, the company also built cars. By the 1950s, though, the company had returned to aviation and produced the L-29 Delfin primary training jet aircraft. The success of that led to the development of the L-39 Albatros, which first flew in 1968 and quickly established itself as the main jet trainer for the Warsaw Pact and Soviet Union. The latest title in the Warpaint Series takes a deep dive into the L-39 and its later derivative aircraft, the L-59 and L-159.
Aero got its start with jet trainers through license production of the MiG-15UTI, but as jet aircraft evolved, so did the need for a dedicated basic jet trainer that could serve that role for all jet aircraft. The first Aero-designed jet trainer, the L-29 Delfin, quickly became a popular aircraft but advances in jet fighters such as supersonic flight and advanced avionics pushed the need for a new trainer to match those needs. Aero used their experience with the L-29, both positive and negative, to develop the L-39, a process that took years during a time that new aircraft were regularly being produced in half that time. The handful of prototypes flew for several years, starting in 1968, with the first production L-39s finally delivered to the Czech Air Force in 1972.
Once production ramped up, interest in the L-39 grew quickly and orders from around the world rolled in. While it was expected that the Warsaw Pact would adopt this as a primary jet trainer, its success elsewhere in the world made it popular, and its continued operations in both military and civilian roles even today proved its value as a stable primary jet trainer.
With that long of a history, it would be challenging to tell the complete story of the L-39, but this latest title in the Warpaint series takes an excellent stab at that. The text covers the long development process in detail, as well as the follow-on variant changes that resulted in the L-59 and L-159, as well as the one-off L-139. Less well detailed is the operational record, but that is understandable given the type’s widespread usage. The book touches on the basic history of most of these nations, as well as civilian operations that continue on today.
Complementing the written text are lots of photos covering the lifespan of the L-39 family. With over 40 nations operating the type, there is no shortage of interesting colors and markings for the Albatros over the decades, and these photos help highlight that. Further adding to that are the color profile illustrations, which also bring to attention the colorful camouflage schemes and interesting markings. Rounding out the content are some scale drawings and a handful of detail photos, as typical in the Warpaint series.
The Aero L-39 Albatros family holds an important spot in aviation history, and this book does a great job of paying homage to this highly successful jet trainer. My thanks to Guideline Publications for the review copy. Visit the Warpaint Books website to order this and other titles in the series.