 Letov S 7a
The Š 7 was designed by Alois Smolik and built in 1923 to participate in an official competition for single-seat fighters powered by the 300 hp Skoda-manufactured Hispano-Suiza 8Fb engine. Of similar mixed construction to preceding Smolik- designed fighters, the Š 7 was an equi-span single-bay staggered biplane with twin 7,7-mm gun armament. The Š 7 was initially flown with a ring-type frontal radiator, but cooling problems dictated redesign of the radiator system and the prototype was fitted with a redesigned engine cowling and a ventral radiator as the Š 7a. This type failed to attract a production order and further development was discontinued. Engine: 220 hp V-8 Skoda HS 8Fb Span, 30 ft 6 ½ in (9,30 m) Length, 22 ft 10 3/8 in (6,97 m) Height, 8 ft 8 1/3 in (2,65 m) Wing area, 238.43 sq ft (22,15 sq.m) Max speed, 158mph (255 km/h) Time to 3,280 ft (1 000 m): 15 min Empty weight, 1,682 lb (763 kg) Loaded weight, 2,315 lb (1 050 kg) |
