1/72 Letov Š.328v Czechoslovak Floatplane

The Š.328 was one of the most widely used aircraft of the Czechoslovak military aviation in the second half of the 1930s. The aircraft produced by the Letov factory served as a multi-purpose machine designed for reconnaissance, lightbombing, combat missions, bombing interception and night patrolling. The first order from the Czechoslovak Army was placed in 1934 and subsequently a total of seven production series were created, differing in equipment and armament. Although technically obsolete by the time of the occupation, the Š.328 formed the backbone of observation and light bomber units until 1939.

A very special chapter in the history of the type were four machines designated Š.328v. These aircraft were designed to tow aerial targets for gunnery training. Due to agreements with the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, part of the training took place over the Adriatic Sea in the Boka Kotor area, and therefore these machines were equipped with a pair of Short floats. These were the only float combat aircraft of this type in the history of the Czechoslovak Air Force. During the winter months, the aircraft returned to service in Czechoslovakia with conventional wheeled landing gear.

The 1/72 scale Letov Š.328v kit depicts this extremely rare and historically very interesting variant. Thanks to its unusual designation and float landing gear it represents an attractive addition to the collection of CzechoslovakCzechoslovak pre-war aircraft collection and an interesting subject for modellers looking for lesser known machines. The package does not include the paint or glue needed for assembly.