After perfect restoration 1947 ZLIN Z381 S/N 145 flies again. Last callsign was N94245, owned by Ryan Wubben from Madison, WI, and before that Richard Epton of Brooks, GA - now bearing tail number OK-BSA.
Powered by original Walter minor 4-III (zero hrs SNEW!) she made his first flight at old ZLIN factory airport in Otrokovice yesterday, (exactly the same place were all the ZLINs were bulit ...)
Some photos from restoration are here: http://airtrade.cz/cz/aktuality/renovace-zlinu-381-ok-bsa.aspx
Martin Nepovím
During the occupation of Czechoslovakia in WWII, the Zlin works built Bu181 Bestmann. After the war they continued to build the aircraft for the local market. The Z281 had a Hirth engine, while the Z381 had a Walter Minor 4-III. OK-BSA had a partuclarly confusing life since although it was built in Ortokovice it was imported to the USA from Germany and on arrival the FAA somhow decided it was Swedish! Nice to see this Bestmann back in the land of its birth and so highly prized by Martin. - SB