Series: Curiosities from ZLIN world
 | Date: (08.02.2012) Part 1. Legendary ZLIN aircraft has counted already 76 years of history and belongs to the oldest aviation brand int he world. During this period of time a rich collection of interesting thing and curiosities have been accumulated, which we would like to share with you in our regular Q&A section. Without wanting to examine your knowledge, you can check for yourselves how much you know about ZLIN aero planes. 1. When did the first production of gliders ZLIN start and which company its first steps are affiliated with?It was in 1933 on the ground of schools in the city of Zlin, under the name of Masaryk‘s Aviation League (MLL). Czechosloval ministry of public works did not allow at that time for Bata Company to manufacture aeroplanes. Therefore Bata managed the manufacterd under the MLL. The vision of the MLL, which had supporters all over the country was promotion and support to all the Czechoslovak aviation, among others also a practical aviation activity, constuction of kits, gliders, aeroplanes as well as studies of specialists abroad. On November 1, 1934 the the production was transfered to Otrokovice (current site), where Zlinska letecka akciova společnost (ZLAS – Zlin Aviation Copmany Ltd.) was formally set up on September 18, 1934.
2. How many flights did the pilots of the MLL performed in 1936?They managed to fly incredible 6529 flights taking 1778 hours and 36 minutes without a single accident. 41 pilots were trained. The MLL group had altogether 1515 members. The League was very important for sport flying in thirties.
Which hangar stood model for the airport in Otrokovice?Famous founder and shoemaker Bata took Burbank airport California as the model.
What was Bata´s dream in terms of production of airplanes?His dream was to become as important as he was in the shoe industry. He wanted to develop a small aircraft for a mass production sold at the low price. Aviation in Zlin came was a solution of demands from the progressive industry, from an urgent need for a fast means of transport, for travel of Bata´s dealers, purchasers and technicians. How Tomas Garrigue Masaryke the first Czechoslovak president called the aircraft Z-XI?During president´s visit the factory pilots flew such courage figures with Z-XI that the aircraft got the name „White hawk“. How many aircraft Klemm Kl35B and Bucker 181 were produced under the license during the 2nd world war?Average yearly production in over 4 years was 260pieces, i.e. over 21 pieces a month. The airport became the place where German trained new crews for the Luftwaffe and because they needed training aircraft for primary training, the documentation of klemm Kl35B was provided for the porduction under licence. The productions started in 1940 and the first aircraft took off a year later. The production was stopped in another 15 months. Parallel to it a production of Bu 181 Bestmann was started. After the war the production of it continued in Otrokovice under the name Z181.
We´ll bring you further information very soon! |
