History

This is an unusual book in that it covers a relatively unknown but significant event in postwar aviation history. This was a series of air displays held at the Prague-Ruzyne Airport immediately following the end of World War II, during that precious time period when the Czechs enjoyed a brief era of freedom before the Communist regime takeover in 1948 drove them back to the Dark Ages where they would languish until democracy regained control when the Soviet Union disintegrated around 1990.

The Czechs, anticipating freedom after getting rid of Nazi German control, celebrated this event with a series of air displays in 1946 and 1947. During these, returning Czech airmen who had served mainly in the RAF joined forces with RAF, USAAF, French, and Belgian personnel to provide exciting and informative displays of modern military aircraft. These included such aircraft as the Meteor, Vampire, Spitfire, Lincoln, Mosquito, York, P-51D, P-47D, P-80, B-17, B-29, A-26, B-26, C-82, and C-47. And the Czechs themselves provided demonstrations of some of the German training types, as well as the JU-52 and Czech-built Bf-109G’s. In addition, many gliders and light acrobatic aircraft were flown by Czech civilian pilots and instructors, as well as the standard types operated by the resurrected Czech Air Force. Strangely, few Russian aircraft were in attendance, except for some that were operated by the Czech Air Force.

The problems associated with any air show were present at these displays, including traffic and parking problems, scheduling and coordinating of regular airline flights at the airport, and the logistics of getting fuel and other support elements to the airfield in time for the events. Nevertheless, the events were spectacular, especially the acrobatic displays, and for each display spectators numbered over 100,000.

The Book

The book is extremely well organized and written, and covers such subjects as the general organization of the displays, the visiting aircraft that were on exhibition, some of the pilots involved, and a description of the aerial routines themselves. Photos cover the aircraft and many of the people who were there. There apparently wasn’t a serious aircraft photographer there, as would have been common at American and British air shows, but enough amateur photos are provided to give a good account of the aircraft that were present. These photos are of good quality and show an excellent representation of the types present.

I found the book interesting to read, and I learned a lot about the postwar Czech Air Force. It must have been an exciting time to live in, especially considering the ominous Iron Curtain that was to descend on that unfortunate country immediately afterwards. Most of the pro-Western people, including RAF veterans and political figures, either had to leave the country or were imprisoned for long periods of time, if they survived at all.

All in all, this is a fascinating little book, and well worth getting mainly for the historical information involved. The publishers are to be commended for producing this unusual book. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Mushroom Model Publications and IPMS/USA for the review copy.