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Letov S-328

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Letov S-328

Initially developed for a Finnish requirement for a two seat biplane reconnaissance, the Letov S-28 first flew in 1929. Although not taken up by the Finish Air Force, Czechoslovakia bought 12 production Letov S-128s. These were followed by 4 S-228s for Estonia which were delivered in 1932. Production then shifted to the main S-328 version. A total of 470 of all versions were built.

Following the Sudetenland Crisis and the splitting of Czechoslovakia, the new state of Slovakia inherited a large number of S-328s while Germany took control of the rest. Some of these and new built machines were sold to Bulgaria.

More details of each countries use of the Letov S-328 and photos can be found in the links below.

Photographs of scale models of the Letov S-328 can be found here.

Variants

Letov S-28
Letov S-128
Letov S-228
Letov S-328
- Bulgaria
- Czechoslovakia
- Estonia – (Letov S-228)
- Germany
- Slovakia
Letov S-428
Letov S-528

Letov S-528

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Letov S-528

Planned as a replacement for the successful Letov S-328, the S-528 was a reconnaissance and light bomber aircraft. The structure of the S-328 was strengthened and the powerplant was upgraded to a 800 hp (597 kW) Gnome-Rhône Mistral Major. Due to the German annexation of Czechoslovakia, only six were built.

Letov S-328 in Slovak Service

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Letov S-328 in Slovak Service

In March 1939, Germany occupied the Czech part of Czechoslovakia and Slovakia declared its independence. Consequently, Slovakia inherited a number of Letov S.328 reconnaissance and light bomber biplanes that had been based in its territory. Additional aircraft were obtained from German stocks acquired during its annexation of Czechoslovakia, as well as 50 new built examples.

On 23 March 1939, Hungary invaded Slovakia in the Slovak–Hungarian War (23-31 March 1939). During the conflict, Letov S.328s conducted reconnaissance and bombing attacks on Hungarian troops.

When Slovakia participated in the German invasions of Poland in 1939 and the USSR in 1941, the S.328s were again used for bombing and reconnaissance missions. They were later used on anti-partisan operation in Ukraine. Following the Slovak National Uprising in September to October 1944, up to 11 Letov s.328s were seized by insurgents.