Strana 37
#7047
BOXART STORY
„Do zteče ostře!“ ("Attack hard!") This is how
the pilots of Czech L-39s, conducting combat
test firing, asked by radio the ground controller
for permission to launch unguided rockets, fire
a cannon or drop bombs. As the controller was
usually designated a flying personnel, he was
located within the firing range area at a safe
distance from the impact area but within sight
of it during the firing. The leader of the pair,
after receiving clearance from the controller,
only issued the instruction "Ready" to the
wingman pilot. The rockets were then fired
simultaneously by the pilots on the instruction
"Fire!" by the leader. Subsequently, the rocket
controller made an immediate assessment of
the accuracy of the hits and then informed the
pilots by radio.
The military areas of Jince, Libava and
Boletice were used for such rocket tests. Each
live firing was very important for the pilots.
Especially for the necessary acquisition of
the pilot class and thus confirmation of the
achievement of combat skills on a given type
and of course proper financial evolution in the
form of an increase in the pilot's monthly salary.
For ground personnel, aerial gunnery tests
have always meant a higher workload than
everyday duty. Especially for the armourers.
On the day of preliminary preparation, they
concentrated their efforts, in addition to the
preparation of the aircraft and the testing of
the weapon systems, on the hanging of the
rocket pods and the actual preparation of
the aerial weaponry. The aircraft flew mostly
armed with a combination of the GS-23 cannon
along with S-5 rockets, or the GS-23 cannon
along with bombs. Because of the complexity
of this training, range flights were scheduled
in weekly blocks.
The training missions of armed Albatros flying
on the range had important safety specifics.
For example, the armorers performed the
arming of the aircraft only as the last specialty
in line, when the radio operators and avionics
specialists, along with the aircraft technician,
had already completed their preparations.
Warning flags were placed in front of and
behind the aircraft during weapons loading.
This meant that no ground personnel or airport
security assets were allowed in these areas.
Once the aircraft was armed, only the pilot and
his technician could approach it.
After landing the aircraft back at the base,
the pilots taxied to the designated "discharge
point" and pointed the aircraft in a safe direction.
At this point, a pair of armourers were already
waiting to check the "safety" of the weapons
used while the engine was running. In practice,
this meant that no rocket could be left in the
rocket pods and no rounds could be left in the
air cannon. Otherwise, the pilot was informed of
the balance of ammunition in the weapon. This
was the signal for him to shut down the engine.
The armourers then began troubleshooting.
The boxart of the new Eduard kit, shows
just the moment when a pair of Albatroses
launches unguided S-5 rockets from UB-16
rocket pods over one of the aforementioned
shooting ranges. Outside of the rocket pods, the
aircraft is equipped with a pair of additional fuel
tanks, in order to extend its operational range
(the ability to perform several runs in
succession) in the shooting range area.
The livery of the boxart Albatros shows its
appearance in the last stage of service with
the 222nd Training Squadron in Náměšt' nad
Oslavou. During its service at this base, it was
lovingly cared for by the aircraft technician
Michal F., who is now an Eduard employee and
designer of the camouflage schemes and decals.
Logically, the realization of the schemes for this
kit fell to him and his 3903 was not to be missed
in the selection. In addition, this aircraft carried
several shades of paint it received during
various maintenance and revisions, but still
carried the original factory livery. This makes
its markings attractive for modellers. During
service with the 222nd Training Squadron, this
Albatros received a slight addition in the form
of stripes applied to the vertical stabilizer.
There is a humorous story associated with
these stripes which is mentioned in the kit’s
instruction sheet.
Just for completeness, let us add that the
aircraft was produced in October 1986 and
made its last flight from the Čáslav airport on
24.10.2016. From the above it follows that its
duty was terminated after 30 years of service
due to the exhaustion of its technical service
life. During this service it flew 3600 flight hours.
Illustration: Antonis Karydis
Do zteče!
Text: Zdeněk Nožička
INFO Eduard
37
October 2024