Letov Š-4

The Letov Š-4 was a Czechoslovak single-bay, unstaggered biplane fighter and trainer in the 1920s.

Letov Š-4
Role Fighter
Manufacturer Letov Kbely
First flight 1922
Introduction 1923
Retired 1928
Primary user Czechoslovak Air Force
Number built 20

Production history

The Š-4 was first created in 1922 as an intended successor to the SPAD S.VII and S.XIII, in service with the newly created Czechoslovak Air Force. It first flew in 1922, with fabric-covered wooden wings and a metal fuselage and tail.

Operational history

The Czechoslovak Air Force ordered 20 Š-4s in 1922 and these were delivered in early 1923. The plane lived out the 1920s as a fighter and trainer, but by 1927 difficulties were being experienced due to the low manufacturing quality of the Š-4. As a result, all remaining Š-4s were upgraded to Š-4a trainer aircraft in 1928.

List of operators
 Czech Republic

Specifications

Data from Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1924[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 6.58 m (21 ft 7 in)
  • Wingspan: 8 m (26 ft 3 in)
  • Height: 2.62 m (8 ft 7 in)
  • Wing area: 15.9 m2 (171 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 673 kg (1,484 lb)
  • Gross weight: 980 kg (2,161 lb)
  • Powerplant: × Hispano-Suiza 8Ba V-8 water-cooled piston engine, 160 kW (220 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed wooden fixed pitch propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 232 km/h (144 mph, 125 kn)
  • Service ceiling: 6,200 m (20,300 ft)
  • Time to altitude: 3,000 m (9,800 ft) in 9.3 minutes
  • Wing loading: 61.5 kg/m2 (12.6 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass: 0.16 kW/kg (0.1 hp/lb)

Armament

  • Guns: 2 x synchronised 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Vickers machine-guns
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See also

Related lists

References
  1. Grey, C.G., ed. (1924). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1924. London: Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd. p. 87b.

Bibliography
  • Green, William; Swanborough, Gordon (1997). The complete book of fighters : an illustrated encyclopedia of every fighter aircraft built and flown. Surrey: Colour Library Direct. ISBN 1-85833-777-1.
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