Strana 35
#2148
BOXART STORY
The L-410UVP, serial number 810731, was
manufactured by LET Kunovice, on 25 November
1981. It was equipped with the standard
camouflage for this type, i.e. two shades of green
on the upper and side surfaces, and light grey
underneath. At the time when it was intended for
transporting NATO observers during exercises
on the territory of Czechoslovakia, the nose, part
of the tail surfaces and the ends of the wings
were painted yellow. Subsequently, during an
inspection at the factory, it was fitted with 'VIP
camouflage' in white and grey with tricolour on
the fuselage sides.
In the middle of 2005, the aircraft was handed
over to the Pardubice Centre of Aviation Training
(CLV) of the state enterprise LOM PRAHA, where
it complemented the already used L-410UVP
-
T
aircraft,fuselage number 0928, for training
University of Defence Brno students intended for
the transport aviation. Pilots Štěpán Ručka and
Petr Kříženecký took over the "new" aircraft from
Kbely. However, they did not flew off on their first
attempt, because the aircraft showed significant
control defects, perhaps due to previous damage
during ground handling. However, after several
adjustments, the aircraft was finally taken over,
although for the rest of its flying life it suffered
permanent consequences in the form of constant,
albeit small, slipping. Any change in speed or
wing configuration thus required re-adjustment
of the rudder and aileron trims. Over time, the
aircraft was nicknamed "Máňa“ (pronounced
Mania, meaning "Little Mary").
In 2012, the aircraft "0731"underwent the
R2 revision at the manufacturer. Due to the
extent of the work being carried out, there was
a discussion in CLV on the subject of a new
camouflage to fit within our fleet. Out of many
ideas from pilots and technicians, the current
look of the "CLV" L-410s was finally chosen.
That's why the aircraft "0928" received it as well
in 2017 during its R2 revision in Kunovice.
An interesting feature is the inscription on
the bottom of the fuselage - AEROTRAINING,
which was supposed to be the call sign of the
aircraft used in CLV. The call sign of this aircraft
for communication with air traffic control
authorities at that time was "Aerotraining 731".
On 22 October 2020 the aircraft landed for
the last time in Pardubice, it was then with the
crew of Antonín Karmazín, Jiří Červený and Jiří
Seidl. The need for another R2 revision and the
engines and propellers overhaul, together with
the necessary modernisation of the avionic
equipment, meant very high costs. Therefore, the
decision was made to decommission the aircraft
and no longer operate it.
In the end, "Máňa" ended its aviation journey
in the Aviation Museum in Kunovice. The aircraft
was transported there on two trucks on March 7,
2024, where it was displayed to the public after
assembly with the help of the production plant
employees. "Máňa" flew a total of 7,479 hours
and 25 minutes and safely completed 13,892
landings.
Illustration: Antonis Karydis
Máňa
Text: Jaroslav Špaček
INFO Eduard
35
October 2024