Luftwaffe-marked Letov Smolik S.16L

[Arvo L. V.]

Esteemed forum members;

The 4/2002 edition of Jet&Prop, in the Leser Forum section, carried an interesting article re Latvia's Letov Smolik S-16L airplanes - namely that when the Germans secured Latvia during the summer of 1941, they were able to seize a number of intact S.16L airplanes. Some of these ex-Latvian machines were reassigned to perform liaison duties, while other ex-Latvian S.16's were assigned to German flight schools.

Do any photographs of Luftwaffe-marked Letov Smolik S.16's exist? On those photographs, is it known who the previous owners were, pre-1940 Latvian Aviation Regiment, pre-1938 Czechoslovakian Air Force, etc. Is it also known to which Luftwaffe units the ex-Latvian S.16's were assigned to?

Thank you kindly in advance for any assistance efforts, which may be rendered on my behalf.

Regards;

Arvo L. V.