Czech Aero L-39

[scottcolbath]

This one was getting a new paint job out at Wickenburg airport. I spotted it last week and went back and forth with the paint shop, trying to nail them down to a good time to shoot it. As it turns out, I got some morning shots that were not in the best location, but the owner and his test pilot/trainer were there later today to fly the jet off to Deer Valley for some minor tweaks before this goes home to what I understand is Reno.

The aircraft belongs to Bret Cox, a very nice guy and apparently a master at start-up companies. He's made his millions. The test pilot/trainer is John Penney, a rather decent pilot. 

Here's a teaser. I have lots to sort through.



S.C.

[jslugman]

Great looking paint.

[John B.]

That is really sharp.  Would you happen to know if it was one of that has been parked at Deer Valley or is it coincidentally headed there?  Just wondering.  No big deal.

[scottcolbath]

John, this aircraft was in fact purchased through the guy out at DV. Tom is his first name. I didn't get his last name. He was out there with us along with the others I mentioned.

S.C.

[John B.]

Thanks.  I had visited those out at Deer Valley one day.  I was surprised because I had no idea they were there--along with a few other nifty toys.  I was up there on museum business and I didn't bring my camera along because I didn't think anybody would be receptive to me taking pictures.  I was wrong and at least for that day they were more than happy to pull tarps off of everything and give me the "Cook's Tour."  Never get off the boat without the camera!

[scottcolbath]

Couple more pics.







John Penney. Air race dude....Guy who was training the owner on the L-39 and general badass aviator.




Bret Cox. The owner of the L-39 and also as I have since found out, a racer at the Reno air races.




Gus on the left and Jose on the right. The painters.


Just a beautiful aircraft.









S.C.

[Warbird Keith]

John, this aircraft was in fact purchased through the guy out at DV. Tom is his first name. I didn't get his last name. He was out there with us along with the others I mentioned.

S.C.

Nice shots Scott! Tom's last name is Rowe of RS Warbirds,

[scottcolbath]

Nice shots Scott! Tom's last name is Rowe of RS Warbirds,

Ah. Thanks. Nice way to make a living. Fix up badass jets and sell them to rich dudes. 

S.C.

[scottcolbath]

Just got an email from Bret, the owner. Paul Bowen is going to shoot the L-39 for an upcoming book. It's also going to appear on the cover of Warbirds Digest.

S.C.

[Paul Dumm]

L-39 out at Copperstate 2010

[BillOz]

Two fine examples of the L-39 were at Copperstate 2010.

[wingsnstuff]

I know that these guys are all painted up like military aircraft/warbirds, but in their current configuration/ownership aren't they classified as civil aircraft?  Regardless of where you bin them, the photographs are great, especially RED 58.  That is a beautifully finished aircraft complimented by great photographs.

[Jay Beckman]

I've always kind of considered them "Warbirds"

Maybe a stretch but at lest Arnie's has a gun pod!

[Chris Kennedy]

Here's a definition from Wiktionary.

warbird (plural warbirds)

1. an aircraft formerly operated by the military, but now owned privately.
2. any aircraft decorated in military livery for display at airshows etc.

[Joe Copalman]

This nit has been sufficiently picked and the topic has been moved to the warbird thread.