L-29 Delfin, L-39 Albatros and Impala MK II

A L-29 Delfin, L-39 Albatros and Impala MK II will perform on Saturday, 21 May at the Kishugu Lowveld Air Show.

AERO L-39 ALBATROS

The Aero L-39 Albatros is a high-performance jet trainer developed in Czechoslovakia by Aero Vodochody. It was designed during the 1960s as a replacement for the Aero L-29 Delfín as a principal training aircraft. It has the distinction of being the first of the second-generation jet trainers to be produced, and being the first trainer aircraft to be equipped with a turbofan powerplant.

The Albatros is the most widely used jet trainer in the world; in addition to performing basic and advanced pilot training, it has also flown combat missions in a light-attack role.

Operationally the L-39 is flown by the air forces of Russia, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Libya, Syria amongst others.

Many are also owned by private owners all over the world. It is said the L-39’s desirability stems from the fact that it is “the only available second-generation jet trainer”.

The Albatros is also flown by a number of display teams such as the Patriots Jet Team (6 L-39s), the Breitling Jet Team (7 L-39s) and the Black Diamond Jet Team (5 L-39s).

Aero L-39C Albatros Specifications

Wing span — 9.46 m
Length — 12.13 m
Max operating speed — 405 knots (750 km/h)
Maximum Mach number — Mach 0.8
Maximum operating altitude — 36 100 ft (11 000m)
Rate of climb — 21 m/s (4 130 ft/min)
Take-off roll — 530 m (1 740 ft)

Impala MK II

The Aermacchi, Macchi MB-326 or Impala as it is know locally, is a light military jet aircraft designed in Italy. Originally conceived as a two-seat trainer, there have also been single and two-seat light attack versions produced.

AERMACCHI MB-326/IMPALA

The Aermacchi, Macchi MB-326 or Impala as it is know locally, is a light military jet aircraft designed in Italy. Originally conceived as a two-seat trainer, there have also been single and two-seat light attack versions produced.

It is one of the most commercially successful aircraft of its type, being bought by more than 10 countries and produced under licence in Australia, Brazil and South Africa. It set many category records, including an altitude record of 56,807 ft (17,315 m) on 18 March 1966. More than 600 were built.

South Africa obtained a licence to manufacture the MB-326M (similar to the ‘G’ model), as the Impala Mk I in 1964 with production starting in 1966. It received 40 Italian-built aircraft and built about 125 locally by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation, using them both as trainers and in an armed configuration.

Seven examples of the MB-326K were also bought as light attack aircraft, with a further 15 assembled from kits and around 78 were license-produced and is known as the Impala Mk II. Licence production of the single seat version began in 1974. The Impala Mk II, locally manufactured and equipped with French armament, was also equipped with a South African ECM suite.

The SAAF Silver Falcons flew the Impala MK I from 1967 to 1999.

MB-326 Specifications

Wing span — 10.56 m
Length — 10.65 m
Max operating speed — 436 knots (806 km/h)
Maximum Mach number — Mach 0.8
Maximum operating altitude — 41 000 ft (12 500 m)
Rate of climb — 22.3 m/s knots (4 400ft/min)
Stalling speed (Landing configuration) — 79 knots (146 km/h)