Zlín Z-26

The Zlin Z-26 Trenér was a tandem-seat basic training aircraft built by the Czechoslovak company Moravan. A low-wing monoplane of largely wooden construction, it was developed into a series of all-metal trainers. Several were also produced in aerobatic variants, known as the Akrobat.

The original Z-26 was designed in the 1940s and produced in 1946 to meet a requirement for a basic trainer to replace the Bücker Jungmann and Bestmann. It was a low-wing monoplane of mixed construction, with wooden wings and a welded metal tube fuselage, powered by a single four-cylinder piston engine, the Walter Minor 4-III. It first flew in early 1947, proving superior to the competing Praga E-112, and was declared the winner, entering production in 1948.

Later derivatives were also optimised to participate in aerobatic competitions and many were owned by private pilot owners. Both the two-seat Trenér and the single-seat Akrobat were considered highly successful, winning several aerobatic awards in the 1960s.

Variants

File:Zlin Z226T Trener 6 OK-KNP LBG 29.05.57 edited-2.jpg

Zlin Z-226T Trenér 6 exhibited at the 1957 Paris Air Show

The following variants were progressive improvements on the Z-26:

• Z-26 – two-seat primary trainer aircraft. 163 built.
• Z-126 – introduced in 1953, Czech military designation C-105, all-metal wing instead of original wooden wing.
• Z-226 – more powerful Walter Minor 6-III six-cylinder engine, C-205
  • Z-226A – single-seat aerobatic aircraft. This and subsequent single-seat variants were named the Akrobat.
  • Z-226B – glider tug aircraft
  • Z-226T – basic training version
• Z-326 – Introduced in 1959, with an electrically retractable undercarriage (standard on future models)
  • C-305 – military version of Z-326 with night-flight capability and military-class cockpit equipment
• Z-526 – with the Walter 6-III carburettor's six-cylinder engine
  • Z-526A – single-seat aerobatic aircraft
  • Z-526F – Improved version. M-137 engine with fuel injector.
• Z-726 – modified 526 with shortened wings and fuselage
  • Z-726K – with Walter M 337 supercharged engine

In 1956, deliveries began of the Z326 Trenér-Master and Z326A Akrobat. Many sub-variants were also produced, for example the Z-526A and Z-526AFS were aerobatic specials. The production of the family was terminated in the 1970s with Z-726. The Z-726 Universal had reduced wingspan.

Operators

Military operators

Austrian Air Force

Cuban Revolutionary Air and Air Defense Force - received about 60 Z-226, Z-326 and Z-526s in the 1960s.

Czechoslovak Air Force

Air Forces of the National People's Army

References

• Frawley, Gerard. The International Directory of Civil Aircraft. Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 1997 Template:ISBN
• Hagedorn, Daniel P. Central American and Caribbean Air Forces. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1993. Template:Isbn.
• Mourik, Dick van. "A to Zlin: An Illustrated History of a Light Aircraft Dynasty". Air Enthusiast, No. 93, May/June 2001. Stamford, UK:Key Publishing. Template:Catalog lookup link. pp. 59–65.
• Taylor, John W R. (editor). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976–77. London: Jane's Yearbooks, 1976. Template:ISBN.
• Taylor, Michael J.H. (editor). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London:Bracken Books, 1989. Template:ISBN.