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Doug Gilliss
- L-29
The
L-29 jet is a military trainer built from 1963 to 1974
by the Aero aircraft company of the Czech Republic. It
was the primary military jet trainer for the Warsaw Pact
countries, including the Soviet Union, throughout the
Cold War. Its simplicity allowed military pilots to
begin their training in jets, sidestepping the
traditional initial training with propeller aircraft
(which the U.S. Air Force still does). The L-29 is built
to carry bombs and rockets, allowing pilots to go from
first flight through ground attack training in the same
aircraft.
The L-29 is also a true warbird. Since it can carry
ordinance, Egypt sent the L-29 into combat against
Israeli tanks in the Yom Kippur War of 1973. It has also
served in a reconnaissance role. The L-29 is still on
active duty with a number of the world's air forces.
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