Letov L-101

The Letov L-101 was an airliner designed in Czechoslovakia shortly after the end of the Second World War. It was to have been a 12-seat twin-engine feederliner, built using German engines left over from Czechoslovakia's occupation. The Letov factory was nationalised on 24 October 1945, and the L-101 was its first project, along with finishing work on the Junkers Ju 290.

As designed, the L-101 was a conventional cantilever low-wing monoplane. The structure throughout was to be of metal, and skinned in metal except for fabric covering for the rudder and elevators. The tailwheel undercarriage was fully retractable, with the main units retracting rearwards into the engine nacelles. The flight crew of two had a flight deck separate from the passenger cabin.

However, following the Communist coup of 1948, the various Czechoslovakian aircraft and automotive manufacturers were amalgamated under CZAL, and work on the L-101 project did not proceed under the new regime.

Specifications (as designed)

General characteristics

• Crew: Two
• Capacity: 12 passengers
• Length: 13.43 m (44 ft 0 in)
• Wingspan: 18.14 m (59 ft 6 in)
• Height: 4.17 m (13 ft 8 in)
• Wing area: 41.4 m² (446 ft²)
• Empty weight: 3,285 kg (7,240 lb)
• Gross weight: 5,250 kg (11,571 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Argus As 410, 347 kW (465 hp) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 320 km/h (200 mph)
• Service ceiling: 6,000 m (19,700 ft)

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Letov aircraft.

• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 572. 
• Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1947. London: Sampson Low. p. 105.