Aero L-59 Super Albatros vs Cessna Skymaster

80^[source]

2,993^[source]

1986–1996^[source]

1963–1982^[source]

30 September 1986^[source]

February 28, 1961^[source]

Aero L-39 Albatros^[source]

Aero L-159 ALCA^[source]

1,537 L (406 US gal; 338 imp gal) including tip tanks^[source]

92 US gal (77 imp gal; 350 L) normal, 128 US gal (107 imp gal; 480 L) with auxiliary tanks^[source]

185 km/h (115 mph, 100 kn) (flaps down)^[source]

69 mph (111 km/h, 60 kn) (flaps and undercarriage down)^[source]

one GSh-23L cannon in under-fuselage pod^[source]

four underwing hardpoints with a capacity of inner hardpoints 500 kg (1,100 lb)capacity, outer hardpoints 250 kg (550 lb)^[source]

Czechoslovakia^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 1, row 26, cell 2; revision 1374778711; retrieved 2026-10-01

United States^[source]

1962^[source]

Cessna O-2 Skymaster Conroy Stolifter Spectrum SA-550^[source]

5 passengers^[source]

7.18:1^[source]

NACA 2412 at root, NACA 2409 at tip^[source]

2-bladed McCauley fully-feathering, constant-speed propeller, 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) diameter^[source]

1,545 ft (471 m)^[source]

1,650 ft (500 m)^[source]

American twin-engine civil utility aircraft^[source]

During the Rhodesian Bush War , the Reims-Cessna FTB 337G 'Lynx' was the main light attack aircraft used by Rhodesian Security Forces during Fire Force counterinsurgency air assault missions, which began in 1974. The Lynxes were armed with twin Browning .303 machine guns mounted above the wing and 37mm SNEB rockets, locally made Mini "Alpha" Bombs ( cluster bombs ), Mini "Golf" Bombs (450 lb (200 kg) blast and shrapnel bomb) and Frantan (a napalm variant carried in frangible drop tanks) bombs.^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Operational history; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

From 1991 until 2001 the Cuban exile group Hermanos al Rescate (Brothers to the Rescue) used Skymasters, among other aircraft, to fly search and rescue missions over the Florida Straits looking for rafters attempting to cross the straits to defect from Cuba, and when they found them, dropped life-saving supplies to them. Rescues were coordinated with the US Coast Guard , which worked closely with the group. They chose Skymasters because their high wing offered better visibility of the waters below, they were reliable and easy to fly for long-duration missions (averaging 7 hours), and they added a margin of safety with twin-engine centerline thrust. In 1996, two of the Brothers to the Rescue Skymasters were shot down by the Cuban Air Force over international waters. Both aircraft were downed by a MiG-29 , while a second jet fighter, a MiG-23 , orbited nearby.^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Operational history / Brothers to the Rescue; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Original variant first flown in 1961 and introduced for the 1963 and 1964 model years. The 336 had a six-seat cabin and was powered by two 195 hp (145 kW) Continental IO-360-A engines. Production aircraft differed from the prototypes in that they had a roomier cabin and a redesigned rear engine cowling to improve engine cooling and reduce cabin noise. Gross weight was 3,900 lb (1,800 kg). A total of 197 built; 2 prototypes and 195 production aircraft (102 in 1963 and 93 in 1964).^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The 1965 model year brought major changes to the Skymaster, which led to a new model number, 337, being assigned. The most significant change was the addition of retractable undercarriage similar to that of the Cessna 210 Centurion , which sat four inches lower than the 336 for ease of entry/exit. Other changes included a redesigned nose cowling and new rear engine intake, greater wing angle of incidence , shortened ventral tail fins, increased elevator chord, and an increased gross weight of 4,200 lb (1,900 kg). The 337 was powered by two 210 hp (160 kW) Continental IO-360-C or IO-360-D engines. 239 total built; 1 prototype and 238 production aircraft.^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

1967 model year with improved brakes, 38A alternators, a redesigned cabin heating system, a split-bus electrical system, and an increased gross weight of 4,300 lb (2,000 kg). A version powered by turbocharged 210 hp (160 kW) Continental TSIO-360-A engines was also offered as the T337B . 231 built, plus 479 M337B military variants as the O-2A Skymaster.^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

1968 model year with a new instrument panel, improved seat belts, and an increased gross weight of 4,400 lb (2,000 kg) (4,500 lb (2,000 kg) for the T337C ). 223 built.^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

1970 model year with conical cambered wingtips, a new fuel quantity system, and an increased gross weight of 4,440 lb (2,010 kg) (4,630 lb (2,100 kg) for the T337E ). 123 built, plus 24 in France by Reims Aviation for the European market as the F337E .^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Introduced for the 1971 model year with an increased gross weight of 4,630 lb (2,100 kg) (same as the T337F) a refined instrument panel, a padded glareshield, a front engine access panel, and other minor changes. The 1972 model year introduced nose-mounted landing/taxi lights and minor interior changes. The turbocharged T337F was only offered for the 1971 model year. 147 total built; 83 (1971) and 64 (1972). Reims also built a total of 31 as the F337F ; 21 (1971) and 10 (1972).^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

337G Super Skymaster^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Power was provided by two 210 hp (160 kW) Continental IO-360-G engines.^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

A turbocharged version of the unpressurized 337G was not offered. 354 total built; 88 (1973), 56 (1974), 65 (1975), 77 (1976), and 68 (1977).^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Also known as the T337G , introduced for the 1973 model year as a turbocharged, pressurized version of the 337G. The P337G was powered by two 225 hp (168 kW) TSIO-360-C engines. Like the 337G, the Skymaster II option was also available for the P337G. 292 total built; 1 (1971 prototype), 148 (1973), 45 (1974), 31 (1975), 32 (1976), and 35 (1977). Reims also built a total of 22 as the FT337GP ; 8 (1973), 5 (1974), 2 (1975), 2 (1976), and 5 (1977).^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Introduced for the 1978 model year with redesigned control wheels and minor interior refinements. The turbocharged version was also offered after a six year absence as the T337H , which was powered by two 210 hp (160 kW) Continental TSIO-360-H engines. The T337H-SP was introduced for the 1980 model year and was powered by TSIO-360-JB engines. The 1980 model year replaced the engines of the 337H and T337H with the TSIO-360-GB and TSIO-360-HB, respectively. 140 total built; 58 (1978), 47 (1979 337H/T337H), 1 (1979 T337H-SP prototype), 24 (1980 337H/T337H), and 10 (1980 T337H-SP). Reims also built 2 aircraft in 1978 as the F337H .^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Introduced for the 1978 model year as a turbocharged, pressurized version of the 337H powered by two 225 hp (168 kW) TSIO-360-C engines, which were replaced by the TSIO-360-C for the 1980 model year. 64 total built; 26 (1978), 24 (1979), and 15 (1980). Reims also built 1 aircraft in 1978 as the FT337HP .^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Based on the M337B but with two 317 shp (236 kW) Allison 250-B15 turboprop engines, a longer span wing, and improved high lift devices. Designated O-2T , only a single prototype was built.^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Reduced-scale four-seat version of the 337 first proposed in 1965 as the Model 377 with cantilever wings replacing the 336/337 strut-braced configuration. The 377 was later redesignated as the Model 327 in 1967 and was first flown in December of that year. One prototype was built before the project was canceled in 1968 due to lack of commercial interest in the design. The prototype was delivered to NASA to serve as a full-scale model for wind tunnel testing. It was used in a joint Langley Research Center and Cessna project on noise reduction and the use of ducted versus free propellers.^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Summit Aviation of Middletown, Delaware re-manufactured existing used 337 airframes into the militarized O2-337 which includes four wing-mounted NATO standard pylons capable of carrying 350 lb (159 kg) each for 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm gun pods, rocket launchers, bombs, markers and flares. The aircraft was marketed for the target identification and marking, reconnaissance, helicopter escort and aerial photography roles. Examples were sold to the Haitian Air Force , Honduras , Nicaragua , Senegal and the Thai Navy . The variant was still in production in 1987.^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Variants / Conversions/modifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Força Aérea de Moçambique (3 x FTB-337G) - ex-Portuguese Air Force FTB-337G refurbished and offered by the Government of Portugal to Mozambique in 2011 and 2012.^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Military operators; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Portuguese Air Force (32 × FTB-337G): Purchased in 1973 to replace the force's aging Dornier Do 27 fleet, which had been used intensively in the Portuguese Colonial War . The first 337 deliveries did not arrive until December 1974—after the end of the war. The last Skymaster in service with the Portuguese Air Force was retired on July 25, 2007.^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Military operators / Former military operators; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Capacity: 5 passengers^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Specifications (337D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Length: 29 ft 9 in (9.07 m)^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Specifications (337D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Wingspan: 38 ft 09 in (11.81 m)^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Specifications (337D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Height: 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m)^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Specifications (337D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Wing area: 201 sq ft (18.7 m 2 )^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Specifications (337D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Empty weight: 2,655 lb (1,204 kg)^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Specifications (337D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Max takeoff weight: 4,400 lb (1,996 kg)^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Specifications (337D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Powerplant: 2 × Continental IO-360-C air-cooled flat-six piston engine, 210 hp (160 kW) each^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Specifications (337D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Propellers: 2-bladed McCauley fully-feathering, constant-speed propeller, 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) diameter^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Specifications (337D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Maximum speed: 199 mph (320 km/h, 173 kn) at sea level^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Specifications (337D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Cruise speed: 144 mph (232 km/h, 125 kn) at 10,000 ft (3,000 m) (econ cruise)^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Specifications (337D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Stall speed: 69 mph (111 km/h, 60 kn) (flaps and undercarriage down)^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Specifications (337D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Range: 965 mi (1,553 km, 839 nmi) (econ cruise, normal fuel)^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Specifications (337D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Service ceiling: 19,500 ft (5,900 m)^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Specifications (337D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Rate of climb: 1,200 ft/min (6.1 m/s)^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Specifications (337D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Takeoff distance to 50 ft (15m): 1,545 ft (471 m)^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Specifications (337D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Landing distance from 50 ft (15m): 1,650 ft (500 m)^[source]Cessna Skymaster · Specifications (337D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage