Aero Albatros L-39 L39 Albatross Czech Multi Role Jet Trainer Aircraft Pin Badge

The Aero L-39 Albatros is a high-performance jet trainer aircraft developed in Czechoslovakia to meet requirements for a trainer during the 1960s to replace the L-29 Delfín. It was the first of the second-generation jet trainers, and the first turbofan-powered trainer produced, and was later updated as the L-59 Super Albatros. The design is still produced in an evolved state as the L-159 ALCA, while more than 2,800 L-39s still serve with over 30 air forces around the world. The Albatros is versatile, seeing duty in light attack missions as well as basic and advanced pilot training, and is the most widely-used jet trainer in the world.

Aero were formed in 1919 shortly after the territory known as Czechoslovakia was created in the aftermath of World War 1.

Aero have made and designed many aircraft throughout their long history. The German Luftwaffe made Focke Wulf monocoques at the aero factories during World War 2.

In 1953 Aero opened the Vodochody engineering and assembly plant, purpose built for jet aircraft manufacture. Here they manufactured the Mig 15, 19 and 21 for the Warsaw Pact airforces.
Around this time they started development of the Aero-L29 Delfin a Czech designed and built jet trainer and from this came the 1970's designed L-39 Albatros which went on to be, arguably, the most successful jet trainer in history and still being manufactured 40 years later in the form of the L-159.