1:72 Letov Š-39

Letov S-39 (1:72, Kovozavody Prostejov)

An injection-molded plastic kit of the Czechoslovak light sporting aircraft Letov S-39 in 1:72 scale from the long-established domestic manufacturer Kovozavody Prostejov (KP). It is a parasol high-wing monoplane, with a cantilever wing carried above the fuselage on short struts, rather than a biplane. KP kits are usually short-run tooling; check the exact contents of the box and the number of decal options against the manufacturer's part number of this item.

The real subject

The Letov S-39 was a single-engine high-wing monoplane with fixed tailwheel landing gear, intended above all for Czechoslovak aero clubs. The crew sat in tandem in open cockpits, in an unconventional arrangement in which the passenger sat ahead of the wing and the pilot behind it. The prototype flew in 1931, and the aircraft was powered by a Walter Polaris engine of around 60 hp (45 kW). The S-39 became the basis of the related S-139 and S-239 versions, which differ from it above all in the engine used.

Building and painting tips

With short-run kits, expect to trim fine flash away and to find that the parts may have no locating pins, so dry-fit and align them before gluing. Glue with liquid cement for plastic and mind the correct alignment of the wing struts, so that the wing sits on the centerline and at the right height. A primer undercoat and an airbrush are recommended; apply the decals over a gloss clear coat and seal them with a matte one.

Who the model is for

• Collectors of Czechoslovak interwar aviation in 1:72 scale
• Anyone interested in civil and aero club aircraft of the 1930s
• Moderately advanced modelers who do not mind the particulars of short-run kits
• Fans of the Letov brand and of the S-39, S-139 and S-239 series

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.