BFC

Ens. Eduard „Bunny“ Kleinkönnig, Naval Detachment of No. 486 Squadron RNZAF,

Aircraft Carrier HMS Habbakuk, Antarctica, summer 1946/1947

This machine was flown by the legendary Czech pilot in the international crew of the aircraft carrier HMS Habbakuk during the

battles against the Luftwaffe over Antarctica in the summer of 1946-1947. The letter K is the individual designation of Kleinkönnig's machine. He had his girlfriend painted on the side of the aircraft. The sharkmouth was added to the aircraft later, as a

reminder of the rescue of Kleinkönnig's flight leader. After being shot down into the sea, he was attacked by killer whales, but

Kleinkönnig fought off the predators. The naval scheme was painted on the unit's machines during the voyage to Antarctica.

Rabbit skulls were painted on all of the unit's machines in honor of Kleinkönnig. The machine was equipped with missiles for

attacking od enemy jets during take-off.

Police Chief Sgt. Eduard Kleinkönnig, OK-BFC, Police Air Patrol Unit, Czechoslovak Police Air Force,

Žatec, 1947 - 1950

After returning to Czechoslovakia, Kleinkönnig was assigned in his native Žatec to the Police Air Patrol Unit, which was originally

to receive Spitfires. However, thanks to Kleinkönnig and his contacts, British Tempests were obtained for this unit. After February 1948, the unit was mainly engaged in the defence of the Žatec brewery and the surrounding hop farms. The CIA carried out

attacks on Czech breweries in order to destabilise the new communist regime.

INFO Eduard - December 2021

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