Letov Š-31

The Letov Š‑31 was a single‑engine, low‑wing monoplane built in Czechoslovakia by Letov Kbely in the early 1930s. Developed as a high‑performance sport and training aircraft, the Š‑31 first flew on 15 April 1932 and entered limited production the same year. Its airframe combined a wooden fuselage with plywood‑covered wings, employing a semi‑monocoque construction that was advanced for its time. Powered by a 120 hp Walter Vega radial engine, the aircraft achieved a maximum speed of 240 km/h, a service ceiling of 6 500 m and a range of 800 km, making it suitable for racing and long‑distance cross‑country flights. The Š‑31 featured a fixed, split‑type landing gear, dual controls for instructor‑student instruction, and a streamlined cockpit canopy that reduced drag. Although only a small batch of fifteen were built, the type demonstrated Letov’s capability to produce modern, lightweight designs and contributed to the development of later Czech trainers such as the Letov Š‑12 and Š‑18. Its participation in several European air contests earned it recognition and helped promote Czechoslovak aeronautical engineering on the international stage. Today, the surviving examples are prized by vintage aircraft enthusiasts and displayed in Czech aviation museums, preserving its legacy.

Letov Kbely

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