Tail End Charlie - New Czech Warbirds
I can't say that I’m a frequent visitor to air shows, or that I have a clear overview of which historical aircraft are in flyable condition in which countries. One of my greatest experiences in this area was a visit to the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia and a flight in a Stearman biplane over the sea coast. Naturally, as a passenger.
I can't say that I’m a frequent visitor to
air shows, or that I have a clear overview
of which historical aircraft are in flyable
condition in which countries. One of my
greatest experiences in this area was a visit
to the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia and
a flight in a Stearman biplane over the sea
coast. Naturally, as a passenger.
Compared to the number of airworthy
historical aircraft in the USA or, for instance,
in the United Kingdom, the number of WWII-era
flyable aircraft in the Czech Republic is much
more modest. We have about a dozen of them
here at home, and they clearly show which
part of history their operators and patrons
are interested in. These are Allied aircraft.
We even have two Mustangs. And in the first
half of this year, two unique examples have
joined this small air force.
At the beginning of April 2025, a Hawker
Hurricane Mk.I aircraft arrived in Prague
from the United Kingdom. It is the aircraft
P3351, which took part in the Battle of France
and the Battle of Britain. Among others, it
was flown by American volunteers serving in
No. 71 Squadron of the RAF. It was later
received by the Soviet Air Force, in whose
service this Hurricane was shot down, made
a forced landing, and was rediscovered many
decades later.
The team at Prague Točná Airport became
interested in the aircraft at the time when
it was being considered for conversion into
a two-seater in the UK. Fortunately, this
did not happen, and the unique Hurricane
was carefully restored into the form of the
legendary aircraft P3143 “NN
-
D” of the No. 310
(Czechoslovak) Squadron RAF from the time
of the Battle of Britain. It was presented to
the public at the end of April, where else but
at Točná Airport. And I must say that I could
not have chosen a better new identity for
a Hurricane Mk.I of Czechoslovak unit. I highly
recommend checking out the details of this
project at the Prague Točná Airport website.
The second rarity to arrive in the Czech
Republic this year is an Avro Anson Mk.I
with serial number MH120. It was presented
to the public at the air show in Pardubice
on June 1. It bears the markings of aircraft
K6183, belonging to No. 206 Squadron RAF,
in honor of the crew of P/O L.H. Edwards,
who was shot down at the beginning of
September 1939 during combat with a German
Heinkel He 115. This type holds great symbolic
value for Czechoslovak aviation history, as
many bomber crew members trained aboard
Ansons. Details about this aircraft can be found
on the RAF Station Czechoslovakia website,
including a very engaging video tour of the
aircraft’s interior. It has been reconstructed
with the highest degree of authenticity while
also meeting the requirements of modern air
traffic communication.
A big thank you goes to everyone who made it
possible for these two aircraft to find their way
to the Czech Republic. I hope they will bring joy
to aviation enthusiasts and the general public
for many years to come, and I believe that the
ranks of Czech warbirds will continue to grow
in the future.
NEW CZECH WARBIRDS
Foto: Petr Kolmann
Text: Jan Bobek
INFO Eduard92
July 2025