Credit
Michal šenki · Public domain · Resized · Public domain · Source ↗ · Modified
FORCETALLY
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At a glance
Measured figures
L-59E · Length
Single source12.20 m (40 ft 0 in)[source]
M18B Dromader · Length
Single sourceConfiguration
| Specification | Aero L-59 Super Albatros | PZL-Mielec M-18 Dromader |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Military trainer aircraft COIN[source] | Utility aircraft[source] |
| Manufacturer | Aero Vodochody[source] | PZL-Mielec[source] |
| Status | Out of production, in service[source] | Active, in production[source] |
| Primary users | Czech Air Force Egyptian Air Force Tunisian Air Force[source] |
9.47 m (31 ft 1 in)[source]
Empty; L-59E · includes gun
Single sourceMaximum take-off; L-59E · Max takeoff weight
Single source4,030 kg (8,885 lb) (includes gun)[source]
7,000 kg (15,432 lb)[source]
Empty; M18B Dromader · Empty weight
Single sourceMaximum take-off; M18B Dromader · Max takeoff weight
Single sourceL-59E · at 7,000 m (23,000 ft) (with maximum internal and external fuel)
Single source2,000 km (1,200 mi, 1,100 nmi) at 7,000 m (23,000 ft) (with maximum internal and external fuel)[source]
M18B Dromader · 1 × PZL Kalisz ASz-621R 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine
Single source1 × PZL Kalisz ASz-621R 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 731 kW (980 hp)[source]
L-59E · 1 × Lotarev DV-2 turbofan thrust
Single source1 × Lotarev DV-2 turbofan , 21.57 kN (4,850 lbf) thrust[source]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
| — |
| Number built | 80[source] | 759+[source] |
|---|
| Manufactured | 1986–1996[source] | 1976-present[source] |
|---|
| First flight | 30 September 1986[source] | 27 August 1976[source] |
|---|
| Developed from | Aero L-39 Albatros[source] | Rockwell Thrush Commander[source] |
|---|
| Variant | Aero L-159 ALCA[source] | — |
|---|
| Fuel capacity | 1,537 L (406 US gal; 338 imp gal) including tip tanks[source] | 510 kg (1,120 lb) max fuel weight[source] |
|---|
| Stall speed | 185 km/h (115 mph, 100 kn) (flaps down)[source] | 108 km/h (67 mph, 58 kn) flaps down[source] |
|---|
| Guns | one GSh-23L cannon in under-fuselage pod[source] | — |
|---|
| Hardpoints | four underwing hardpoints with a capacity of inner hardpoints 500 kg (1,100 lb)capacity, outer hardpoints 250 kg (550 lb)[source] | — |
|---|
| Country of origin | Czechoslovakia[source]Inventory Origin column; table 1, row 26, cell 2; revision 1374778711; retrieved 2026-10-01 | — |
|---|
| National origin | — | Poland[source] |
|---|
| Developed into | — | PZL-Mielec M-21 Dromader Mini PZL-Mielec M-24 Dromader Super PZL-Mielec M-25 Dromader Mikro[source] |
|---|
| Capacity | — | 2,500 L (660 US gal; 550 imp gal) liquid or 2,200 kg (4,900 lb) dry chemical in fibreglass hopper forward of the cockpit (smaller hopper in M18BS)[source] |
|---|
| Aspect ratio | — | 7.8[source] |
|---|
| Airfoil | — | root: NACA 4416 ; tip: NACA 4412 outer wing panels[source] |
|---|
| Propellers | — | 4-bladed PZL Warszawa AW-2-30, 3.3 m (10 ft 10 in) diameter constant speed aluminium alloy propeller[source] |
|---|
| Never exceed speed | — | 280 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn)[source] |
|---|
| g limits | — | +3.4 / -1.4[source] |
|---|
| Wing loading | — | 105 kg/m 2 (22 lb/sq ft)[source] |
|---|
| Power/mass | — | 5.75 kg/kW (11.92 lb/hp)[source] |
|---|