The team at PanAir are currently working on the restoration of their L-29 Delfin jet.
Designed as a military training aircraft, the L-29 was built in the 1960s for the air forces of the Warsaw Pact nations. It was Czechoslovakia's first locally designed and built jet aircraft.
The L-29 is the predecessor to the L-39 Albatros and was built by Aero Vodochody to replace the Soviet Union's piston aircraft trainers. Approximately 3500 of these aircraft were produced with many remaining today in the hands of military collectors and civilian pilots.
The restoration of PanAir's L-29 in Bathurst, has been a very slow but dedicated process with the aircraft being painstakingly restored to its former glory. Currently there are no L-29's flying in Australia and the team hope that once the jet is fully restored that they will be able to showcase it at various airshows and events around the country.
Chief Pilot and Air Race pilot Charlie Camilleri, fly's a different L-29 jet during the thrilling Reno Air Race, which is based in Reno Nevada. After his partner had purchased this L-29 for him in Australia it was discovered that this very aircraft was the 'sister' to the jet based in the States. One crazy coincidence!
General characteristics
Crew: 2: student and instructor
Length: 10.81 m (35 ft 5½ in)
Wingspan: 10.29 m (33 ft 9 in)
Height: 3.13 m (10 ft 3 in)
Wing area: 19.8 m² (213 ft²)
Empty weight: 2,280 kg (5,027 lb)
Loaded weight: 3,280 kg (7,231 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 3,540 kg (7,804 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Motorlet M-701C 500 turbojet, 8.7 kN (1,960 lbf)
Performance
Never exceed speed: 820 km/h (442 knots, 510 mph)
Maximum speed: 655 km/h (353 knots, 407 mph) at 5,000 m (16,400 ft)
Stall speed: 130 km/h (71 knots, 81 mph) flaps down
Range: 894 km (480 nmi, 555 mi) with tip tanks
Endurance: 2 hours 30 min
Service ceiling: 11,000 m (36,100 ft)
Rate of climb: 14.0 m/s (2,755 ft/min)
Armament
200 kg (440 lb) of various guns, bombs, rockets, and missiles on external hardpoints