Letov Š-50

The Letov Š‑50 was a single‑engine, low‑wing monoplane designed and built in Czechoslovakia by Letov Kbely in the late 1930s. Conceived as a versatile sport and training aircraft, the Š‑50 first flew on 14 April 1936 and entered limited production the following year. Its airframe employed mixed construction, with a welded steel tube fuselage covered in fabric and wooden wings with plywood skin, reflecting Letov’s tradition of robust yet lightweight designs. Powered by a 120 hp Walter Vega‑III radial engine, the aircraft achieved a maximum speed of 210 km/h, a service ceiling of 5 500 m, and a range of 700 km, making it suitable for cross‑country touring as well as basic pilot instruction. The Š‑50’s handling characteristics were praised for stability and forgiving stall behavior, which aided flight schools during a period when Czechoslovakia was expanding its civil aviation program. Although only a handful were built before the outbreak of World War II halted production, the Š‑50 demonstrated Letov’s ability to integrate modern aerodynamics with economical construction, influencing post‑war Czech trainers such as the Zlín series. Its legacy endures as a testament to interwar innovation in Central European aviation.