"Highly appreciated all over the world": Vietnam purchased a squadron of Czech L-39NG aircraft

The Vietnamese Ministry of Defense has signed a contract for the supply of a squadron of the latest L-39NG jet aircraft to be produced by the Czech company Aero Vodochody AEROSPACE from 2023 to 2024.

The agreement provides for the shipment of 12 vehicles; training of personnel, both flight and ground; transfer of spare parts, equipment for training and operation of machinery.

This is one of the largest contracts of the Czech defense industry in recent years in the high-tech sector of the military aviation... Vietnam has a historical relationship with a Czech aircraft manufacturer. In the 1970s and 1980s, Hanoi purchased aircraft models such as the Zlín Z-226, AERO AE 45 and L-39 Albatros. The latter is used to train cadets. In total, 31 vehicles of this type were delivered to Vietnam.

We are proud to announce this important and strategic partnership, which marks an important milestone for the L-39NG project [...] L39 aircraft are highly regarded by customers around the world for their reliability, high quality workmanship and ease of maintenance.

- notes the supplier of equipment, indicating that these machines are unpretentious to harsh climatic conditions. In total, more than 2800 L-39 aircraft were exported around the world.

Comments

[Cowbra]

This is in addition to the purchased dozen Yak-130, if anything.

[Asad]

I wonder why they didn't continue to buy the Yak-130?

[Cowbra]

They used to buy Czechs. They began to buy yaks only recently, and they swung at Su-shki. And so Czechs are more familiar to them. Obviously, the Czechs are for a very basic level, Yaki is for training in Su

[Asad]

Thank you for your reply!

[Victor_B]

Quote: Cowbra

They used to buy Czechs.

Correct me if my memory let me down, but, it seems, this factory was bought by ours long ago and is Russian with all the giblets.
Moreover, some part of the production (L-410) is produced somewhere in the Urals.
A quick googling:

On the part of bmpd, we note that the transfer of the plant to the control of András Tombor may, among other things, mean an attempt to turn Aero Vodochody back to the Russian market, once the main one for the plant. In this regard, it can be recalled that the Ministry of Defense of Russia is interested in modernizing and extending the operation of the available L-39 aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces.

[Cowbra]

Not. This one is specifically produced by the Czech-Hungarian office Aero Vodochody, by the way, the Hungarians were harnessed only six months ago, but the L-410 was really developed in the Czech Republic, but there is Aircraft Industries, another office, and now it is really going to be with us and our engines are going to install, and maybe they are already putting it, I don't know there - they passed certification ...

[Civil]

Write the name of the country correctly - the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. This is part of a deal.

[donavi49]

The Yak has 2 engines. ELki has 1.
The yak is much more expensive to maintain.
Vietnam has quite a few old eLoks, with alarms and little residual life.

[rotmistr60]

Мы proudly announce about this important and strategic cooperation

Czechs know better whether they have something to be proud of or not. For some, the sale of 12 aircraft is already a pride. In fairness, it should be noted that Czech aircraft were previously actively used in the USSR, and then in Russia when training military pilots, as well as in DOSAAF and there were only good reviews about them. In addition, the L-410 was used in civil aviation.

[dauria]

... In fairness, it should be noted that Czech aircraft were previously actively used in the USSR,

And it is even more fair to note that for the sake of the development of the Czech aviation industry and their lousy L-29, one of the best planes of the Yakovlev design bureau Yak-30 was sacrificed to the "social community". Moreover, even the Poles sent the Czechs with L-29 in three letters, and ours began to buy. Naturally, the plant was raised, and then the L-39 went.
Here it is, a failed pride, with world records, it turned out to be erased.

[pytar]

And it is even more fair to note that for the sake of the development of the Czech aviation industry and their lousy L-29, one of the best planes of the Yakovlev design bureau Yak-30 was sacrificed to the "social community". Moreover, even the Poles sent the Czechs with L-29 in three letters, and ours began to buy. Naturally, the plant was raised, and then the L-39 went. Here it is, a failed pride, with world records, it turned out to be erased.

The Yak-30 won the competition among light trainer jet aircraft for the Soviet Air Force against the Czechoslovak Aero L-29 Delfin and the Polish PZL TS-11 Iskra. But the L-29 Delfin was still accepted for serial production, since, according to one version, it was supposed to be built at the aviation enterprises of Czechoslovakia, best suited for this.
The reason for choosing the L-29, as we can see, is simple - the aircraft factories of Czechoslovakia were ready to produce it in large series, and for the Yak-30 it was necessary to organize and create production facilities. Elka turned out to be more economically feasible.
As for the Poles, they had their own PZL TS-11 Iskra. Serially produced until 1987 (424 aircraft were built)!

By the way, in Bulgaria, on the basis of the L-29, they have developed their own jet trainer LAZ-14!

http://www.airwar.ru/enc/other/laz14.html
Unfortunately, this development was curtailed due to the ridiculous decision of the CMEA. Bolg. The aviation industry was closed in the 60s, and the potential and experience of several thousand specialists who had worked for a long time in DAR, "Bulgarski Kaproni" -Kazanlak and DSF-Lovech were gone.

[pytar]

In fairness, it should be noted that Czech aircraft were previously actively used in the USSR, and then in Russia ...

Indeed, of the 2 L-868s (and 39 L-80s) produced from 59 to 1974, the USSR received a total of 1989 L-2094s. Moreover, the airplane is in operation in more than 39 countries of the world. Unpretentious, with a great potential for modernization, it still finds its place in the market. The Czechs did not ditch their production, they try to cooperate, improve the design.

[dauria]

The Czechs did not ditch their production,

Still would. We ditched ours to please the Czechs. There was no L-39 in 1960. And the Yak-30 was. And it was the perfect training aircraft. Lightweight, technological, cheap. Does not change balancing from either the throttle or the flaps. From grassy airfields. With world records. And now half the world would fly on it.
It was necessary to immediately spit on the collapse of the CMEA and restore production. Here is the last private restored flying machine. Single variant of the Yak-32.

[pytar]

Still would. We ditched ours to please the Czechs. There was no L-39 in 1960.

The Yak-30 was an interesting, advanced machine for its time. She clearly outdid the L-29! But to establish production required time and resources. Czechoslovakia was ready to produce Elki in large series! The L-29 is simpler in design and probably cheaper.

It was necessary to immediately spit on the collapse of the CMEA and restore production.

After the 90s, it is unlikely that the Yak-30 would have had a chance. That time has passed, and the market has changed.

[dauria]

But to establish production required time and resources.

By order of the GKAT No. 14 of January 15, 1962, AC Yakovlev and the director of plant No. 116 (Arseniev), to ensure the production of the first five serial aircraft, were obliged to conclude a corresponding contract with the supply of aircraft to the Air Force in the fourth quarter of the same year.
The serial release was already ready. Say thanks to Khrushchev. He didn’t listen to anyone. Even Ustinov and Brezhnev. Even the Poles asked - "Let us make the Yak-30, at least for Poland." S. Yaroshevich turned to the government of the USSR with a request to acquire a license.
Figurines. There were offended Czech brothers, who plowed hard at Hitler (and not for free !!!, but for a well-fed life) and said thank you to the Russians in 68 ..
Ugh ...

[pytar]

by order of the GKAT No. 14 of January 15, 1962 AC Yakovlev and the director of the plant No. 116 ...
The serial release was already ready.

Do you have data on the comparative production costs of the Yak-30 and L-29? It is unlikely that Elka was more expensive! Economic factors matter too!

Say thanks to Khrushchev. He didn’t listen to anyone.

If it is as you write it, I really do not understand what claims to Czechoslovakia? Khrushchev's decision is the decision of the leadership of the USSR, not Czechoslovakia! As far as I know, Khrushchev generally put a secondary role in aviation, but rather swung at rockets.

There were offended Czech brothers ... who said thanks to the Russians in '68 ..

I do not know who was offended to whom, but it is unlikely that the Czechs and Slovaks should have thanked for the events in 29 because of the L-68. These are things not related to each other.

[dauria]

Do you have data on the comparative production costs of the Yak-30 and L-29? It is unlikely that Elka was more expensive! Economic factors matter too!

"In addition, the L-29 turned out to be 30 kg heavier than the Yak-917, of which, due to the weight of the empty aircraft, by 672 kg. The Yak-30 glider is 29 kg lighter than the L-528. From the condition of building 1000 aircraft at the same cost, it was possible to produce only 700 L-29. " This is from here
https://modelist-konstruktor.com/aviacziya/reaktivnyj-uts-yak-30
And there is the destructive withdrawal of the Poles
«... L-29 cannot be used as an aircraft for initial training due to the presence of major deficiencies in its flight qualities."

Khrushchev's decision is the decision of the leadership of the USSR, not Czechoslovakia!

Still, the Czechs resisted so much, so resisted ... that they were presented with such a market.

[pytar]

This is from here https://modelist-konstruktor.com/aviacziya/reaktivnyj-uts-yak-30

Thanks for the links, Alexey! I read it with interest! "Modeler constructor" was one of my favorite magazines, which I received by subscription in Bulgaria for decades! I still keep them, I have hundreds of them! Here I pulled out a few from the boxes!

Quite possibly among them there is also a story about the Yak-30 in the original!

In addition, the L-29 turned out to be 30 kg heavier than the Yak-917, of which, due to the weight of the empty aircraft, by 672 kg. The Yak-30 glider is 29 kg lighter than the L-528.

By the way, your note directed my attention to this passage in the post:
"The second copy of the Yak-30 No. 2 ... suffered a disaster ... taking the lives of test pilot of the OKB VM Volkov and athlete PM Shikhina-Zanozina. The investigation showed that the cause of the tragedy was the separation in flight of the right wing console due to structural defect in the wing.According to L.M.Schekhter, this happened because of the pursuit of light construction at the expense of strength."
Presumably, the entire Yak, which was smaller in comparison with the L-29, was achieved due to the strength of the structure, which was more than once reproached for the aircraft created by Yakovlev. Whether it is true or not, I cannot judge. In any case, the Yak-30 was a wonderful machine as a whole, and after solving the problems, it could have become a massive TCB.

Still, the Czechs resisted so much, so resisted ... that they were presented with such a market.

It should be clear to you that such issues are always resolved for political reasons. Economic relations between socialist countries were not based on market principles... And everyone was equally dissatisfied. You allegedly "gave them a market", and at the same time rolled around Czechoslovakia with tanks ... Now the Czechs produce and sell their L-39/59/159, and you your Yak-130. Everyone is happy.

[dauria]

According to L.M. Schechter, this was due to the pursuit of lightweight construction at the expense of strength. "

Such things are checked by statistical tests before destruction. , but not
"the opinion of psychologists." There is a norm, there is a safety factor. The wing survived exactly as long as it was calculated. Not more . If more, it is considered lousy designed and overweight.
Another opinion is that the sportswoman PM Shikhina-Zanozina, who was not used to this car, distinguished herself by pulling the handle "from side to side."

[pytar]

Another opinion is that the sportswoman PM Shikhina-Zanozina, who was not used to this car, distinguished herself by pulling the handle "from side to side."

According to L.M. Schechter, this was due to the pursuit of lightweight construction at the expense of strength. "

Leon Mikhailovich Shekhter - Soviet aircraft design engineer, specialist in the field of preliminary design of aircraft, one of the leading designers of the Special Design Bureau A.S. Yakovleva, Yakovlev's "right hand".
Awards and Prizes:
USSR State Prize, Order of Lenin, Order of the Red Star, Order of the Red Banner of Labor, Order of the Badge of Honor - 3 br.

[dauria]

one of the leading designers of the Special Design Bureau A.S. Yakovleva, Yakovlev's "right hand".

With such merits and does not know, with what a bunch of checks, tests and signatures make airplanes? And who is so brave to release it into the air with such a structural defect? And the calculations and protocols were lost. It looks more like a personal showdown in hindsight.

[pytar]

With such merits and does not know, with what a bunch of checks, tests and signatures make airplanes?

He knows 100 times better than you and me! By the way, I learned about the problem from the article you gave me!

And who is so brave to release it into the air with such a structural defect?

This is not an exception, but a rule. There are always some mistakes and defects in new cars. Some of them accompany the entire period of operation.

It looks more like a personal showdown in hindsight.

Do you have concrete evidence?

[Pete mitchell]

Quote: dauria

offended brothers-Czechs, who worked hard on Hitler (and not for free !!!, but for a well-fed life) and said thanks to the Russians in 68 ..
Ugh ...

With a Bulgarian colleague, this is "walking in circles" ..

Quote: Pete Mitchell

1 February2021

Quote: Pete Mitchell

Division of labor with whom? With "probable partners"? Even with regard to L-29/39, this was a mistake, although I liked it. You may be interested in this, but for the Russian Federation it is a mistake based on politics.

About a month after the start of the comparative tests, an event occurred that seemed to have no direct relation to flights to Monino: the President of Czechoslovakia Antonin Novotny flew to Moscow on a visit ... it was at this meeting that it was decided to specialize the aviation industry of Czechoslovakia in the creation and serial production of TCB countries of the Warsaw Pact. Therefore, NS Khrushchev made a "political decision": to build a Czechoslovakian plane. It is known how the flirtation with Czechoslovakia ended. The Soviet aviation industry was dealt another Khrushchev blow, the consequences of which will be felt in decades. The promising direction of aviation development in our country was closed. Technology has once again lost to politics such a story ..

[Misha_an26]

At one time, 410 overtook Balashov Bursa. Already two regiments. Rtishchevo and Petrovsk.

[semuel]

In terms of luck, for the Czechs, selling 12 planes is like for Russia a thousand or two for the United States. And the advertising words at the end of the statement are understandable, as any manufacturer should say. So there is iron reason for pride.

[The leader of the Redskins]

Exactly. In general, it is surprising that they were able to maintain their aircraft production to this day. How many factories we have and in the neighborhood "collapsed", and they saved.

[pytar]

In general, it is surprising that they were able to maintain their aircraft production to this day. How many factories we have and in the neighborhood "collapsed", and they saved.

The Czechs have shown pragmatism and prudence. Rebuilt successfully to new market conditions! Cooperated, modernized factories, now the Czech industry is quite modern!
They produce successful weapons, and Skoda is known to everyone and is well sold. In fact, it's Volkswagen, but in my opinion, buying a Skoda is even more profitable than a Fox! Because, the quality is not worse, the design is the same, and the price is lower because of the brand. Buy Volkswagen at the Skoda price! Not bad huh?

[APASUS]

The author must have slept for 20 years?
It was during Soviet times that the L-39 was highly valued all over the world. After joining the EU, the company almost went to the bottom and such orders are just rare. The USSR bought L-39 in thousands.

[pytar]

Quote: APASUS

It was during Soviet times that the L-39 was highly valued all over the world. After joining the EU, the company almost went to the bottom and such orders are just rare. The USSR bought L-39 in thousands.

After the collapse of the CMEA, crisis periods occurred in all former members of the organization. The Czechs are not an exception, but they still managed to reorganize to market conditions. The Czech industry is now quite modern and competitive.
If we compare the amount of L-39 (L-59) produced and sold in the world after the collapse of the CMEA with its rival Yak-130, the comparison is clearly not in favor of the latter. Elka has found her own market place and continues to develop. This airplane has a great potential for modernization, not expensive, easy to maintain.

[APASUS]

Quote: pytar

If we compare the amount of L-39 (L-59) produced and sold in the world after the collapse of the CMEA with its competitor Yak-130, the comparison is clearly not in favor of the latter.

Yak-130 was produced in the amount of 162 pieces for 2019, if my memory serves me, then L-39 (L-59) 2019 in the amount of 96 pieces.
Do you have other numbers?

[Eugene-Eugene]

no it is not so

[pytar]

I read various sources. The information differs somewhat, but I did not go deep to look for a complete list by year and country. L-39 was produced until 1999. About the L-59 I learned that 48 br. in Egypt and 12 in Tanzania. Perhaps there are others, since they produced 80. Total for export -60. L-159 produced 72 copies.
Yak-130 - in service with Algeria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Myanmar and Laos are, according to my information, approx. 66 copies It's really not entirely clear how many of them have been exported since the 90s.
As you can see, the digital exports of the L-39/59 and Yak-130 are quite comparable. Production, including the more modern L-159, is also comparable to the Yak.

[Misha_an26]

In fairness, it should be noted that Czech aircraft were previously actively used in the USSR, and then in Russia when training military pilots, as well as in DOSAAF and there were only good reviews about them. In addition, the L-410 was used in civil aviation.
There were already two 410 regiments in Balashov. The truth is after us.

[Edvagan]

in 1988 he worked with an L-39, an IAS technician was in Ryazhsk))) Not a bad machine ...

[Gregory Charnota]

I wonder where did Dudayev have a lot of these planes?