Victory Air Displays, Prague 1946 & 1947

Authors: Pavel Kloucek & Bohumil Kudlicka

Price: £12.99 GBP (Apr 2012)

ISBN: 978-83-61421-42-9

Format: Paperback, 88 pages (black and white throughout), A4 format

Review by: Geoff Coughlin

Our thanks to Stratus – Mushroom Model Publications for supplying our review sample.

Well, here’s something a little different, with many varied and unusual images of types and markings I hadn’t seen before.

Background

In September 1946, the Union of Pilots of the Czechoslovak Republic held an International Air Show at Prague-Ruzyne airport.

Reminiscent of the country’s splendid pre-war Military Air Days, the 1946 show attracted more than half a million visitors, while military aircraft from Britain, France and the UAS joined local civilian and military machines in the air and on the ground.

Flying displays featuring thrilling aerobatics, massed Spitfire flypasts, Neville Duke’s stunning Meteor routine and even a Boeing B-29 Superfortress impressed the crowds.

At the same time the occasion gave the Czech aero industry an opportunity to reveal its latest machines – new, indigenous designs, as well as those based on German aircraft – to an adoring press and public.

The 1946 Autumn event drew great attention and support from the Americans and British, boasting no fewer than four types of jet fighter: Avia S-92 (Me 262), de Havilland Vampire, Gloster Meteor and Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star, as well as a rocket-assisted S-99 (Bf 109) take-off!

Perhaps more importantly, the occasion provided one last stage for the Czech pilot’s, most of them ex-RAF before the ravages of the communist regime forced many to leave and the remainder into persecution.

Conclusion

This title is without doubt a fascinating and unusual glimpse into the Eastern European aviation scene before the Iron Curtain fell and includes some rare images of major aircraft types of the period.

Highly relevant to all aviation scale modellers and military aviation enthusiasts.

Recommended.

Geoff C.

Availability…

• As above in the UK and Europe
• Direct from the North American distributors, Casemate
• Australian distributors, Platypus Publications