November 4 of 2023 marks 55 years of the Aero L-39 Albatros.
Aero’s follow on to their very successful L-29 Delfín trainer, the Albatros has been every bit the worthy heir to the Delfín.
Versions of the Albatros have served in the air arms of more than 50 countries over the years and several have found second lives in the civilian world.
Here’s a selection of L-39s I’ve photographed at various times and places in the Czech Republic:
Pickled Wings 
Wonderful, many thanks for this post. Can’t believe such a modern and up-to-date aircraft is that ‘old’.
Indeed, the L-39 design is a formula that works. It formed the basis of the L-159 ALCA light strike aircraft and the L-39 NG, both totally different aircraft with no parts in common with the Albatros, but an undeniable family resemblance. It’s a timeless design.