The Letov Š-4 was a Czechoslovak single-bay, unstaggered biplane fighter and trainer in the 1920s.
Production history
The Š-4 was first created in 1922 as an intended successor to the SPADS.VII and S.XIII, in service with the newly created Czechoslovak Air Force. It first flew in 1922, with fabric-covered wooden wings and a metal fuselage and tail.
Operational history
The Czechoslovak Air Force ordered 20 Š-4s in 1922 and these were delivered in early 1923. The plane lived out the 1920s as a fighter and trainer, but by 1927 difficulties were being experienced due to the low manufacturing quality of the Š-4. As a result, all remaining Š-4s were upgraded to Š-4a trainer aircraft in 1928.
Green, William; Swanborough, Gordon (1997). The complete book of fighters : an illustrated encyclopedia of every fighter aircraft built and flown. Surrey: Colour Library Direct. ISBN1-85833-777-1.