Czechoslovakian Air Force
| Czechoslovak Air Force | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Active | 1918–1993 |
| Country |
 Czechoslovakia
|
| Motto(s) | Air is our sea |
| Disbanded | Dissolution of Czechoslovakia (1 January 1993) |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | Avia B-534, Avia S-199, MiG-15, MiG-19, MiG-29 |
| Helicopter | Mi-17, Mi-24 |
| Reconnaissance | Letov Š-328 |
The Czechoslovak Air Force (Československé vojenské letectvo) was the air force branch of the military of Czechoslovakia. It was known as the Czechoslovak Army Air Force (Československé letectvo) from 1918 to 1939. In 1993, it was divided into the Czech Air Force and the Slovak Air Force.
For a modern nation surrounded by potentially hostile neighbors, without access to the ocean, the Czechoslovak leadership needed to build a capable air force. So was born the motto "Air is our sea". The Czechoslovak government between the wars balanced a home-grown aviation industry with licensing engine and aircraft designs from allied nations. Several major aircraft companies, and a few engine companies, thrived in Czechoslovakia during the 1930s. One well-known engine manufacturer was A. S. Walter located in Prague.
The Aero Company (Aero továrna letadel), was located in the Vysočany quarter of Prague. Its mixed construction (wood, metal, and fabric covering) and all-metal aircraft were competitive in the early 1930s; however, by 1938, only its MB.200 (a licensed Bloch design) was not totally obsolete.
The Avia Company (Avia akciová společnost pro průmysl letecký Škoda), a branch of the enormous Škoda Works (Škodovy závody) heavy machinery and military industrial enterprise, was different. Founded in 1919 in an old sugar factory in the eastern Prague suburbs of Letňany and Čakovice, Avia made entire airplanes, including motors, which were usually licensed Hispano-Suiza designs. The standard Czechoslovak pursuit plane of the late 1930s, the B-534 reached a total production of 514 units. It was one of the last biplane fighters in operational use, and also one of the best ever produced.
...
Wikipedia