Tips not only for summer trips: the Aero aircraft in Czech expositions
Vodochody, 12 July 2023 – Prague, Kunovice, Koněšín, Vyškov or Plzeň. Everywhere there are aircraft made by the traditional Czech manufacturer Aero. For example, the only Aero A-18 fighter jet, the legendary Aero Ae-45 aerotaxi, the unique Aero XL-29 Dolphin aerobatic aircraft or the Aero L-39 Albatros with camouflage commemorating the famous designer Jan Vlček can be seen in museum expositions across the Czech Republic.
Kbely Aviation Museum (www.vhu.cz)
The Aviation Museum was founded in 1968 on the premises of the historic military airport Prague-Kbely. Currently, its collections contain approximately 275 aircraft, including several world class unique aircraft, making it one of the largest aviation museums in Europe. The Czech aircraft manufacturer Aero is represented by the Aero A-10 (the first Czechoslovak transport aircraft) or the world-famous Aero L-29 Delfín and Aero L-39 Albatros jet planes, which helped train thousands of fighter pilots. One of the Albatros on display has a special camouflage commemorating the 40th anniversary of its first flight and also its designer Jan Vlček. Among the most famous flying exhibits of the Kbel Museum is the Aero C-104S biplane. In one of the hangars of the “Old Aero Factory” (built in 1920), there is also an Aero A-18, the only fighter aircraft from the Aero workshops. It was from this hangar that it first flew in 1923.
“Our aviation roots as well as the promotion of Czech aviation are firmly embedded in the entire corporate culture of today’s Aero. That is why we are planning to cooperate more closely with the Kbely Aviation Museum in terms of mutual promotion, expanding our collections or holding various events,” says Viktor Sotona, President and CEO of Aero.
Kunovice Aviation Museum (www.muzeum-kunovice.cz)
The Kunovice Aviation Museum was founded by a volunteer organization in 1970. It has been operating under its current name since 2015 and today offers visitors over 30 aircraft on display. The world’s unique exhibit is the Aero L-29 A Dolphin Acrobat. This single-seat aerobatic special can only be seen with your own eyes in the Kunovice museum. The museum’s collections also include the Aero L-39ZA Albatros (a battle version with a twin-barrelled rapid-fire gun and a reinforced wing), the Aero Ae-45 (the famous Czechoslovak aerotaxi) and the Aero L-29 R “Oko”, which was a special training and reconnaissance version of the Dolphin.
Koněšín Aviation Museum (https://www.letecke-muzeum.cz/)
The Aviation Museum (which includes a restoration workshop) moved from Olomouc to the former Koněšín radar base at the Náměšt’ nad Oslavou military airport in 2016. From the Aero production there is an Aero L-39 Albatros (standard training version and prototype of the towing version) or the Aero XL-29 Dolphin prototype with fuselage number 003 from 1961, which was first presented to the public at the prestigious Paris Aerosalon. In the museum’s depository there is an ejection trainer NKTL 39-21 with an all-metal construction and internal equipment corresponding to the Albatross cabin.
Museum of Aviation and Land Technology Vyškov (www.lhs-vyskov.cz)
The museum was established in cooperation with the Foundation of the Aviation Historical Society and the Army of the Czech Republic. It was opened to the public in the Vyškov airport in 1990. In the aviation part of the collection it is possible to see 30 pieces of fighter, bomber, transport and reconnaissance aircraft. The manufacturer Aero is represented by two Aero L-39V (“0720”, “0735”), which were used for towing training air targets. Together they have flown over 2,675 hours and made 3,338 landings.
AirPark Zruč u Plzně (www.airpark.wz.cz)
The private collection has been open since 1992. Today it has over 50 aircraft on display (another 10 are in the depository) and other military equipment. The manufacturer Aero is represented by the prototype of the Aero Ae 270 Ibis transport aircraft and the Aero L-29 Delfín training jet.
AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE a.s. focuses on the development, production, maintenance and improvement of civil and military aircraft and is the largest aircraft manufacturer in the Czech Republic and one of the oldest aircraft manufacturers in the world. In the field of own aircraft, AERO is a permanent partner of a number of military air forces and has a strong position in the market for military trainer and light combat aircraft. With 11,000 aircraft produced in its 100 years of existence, hundreds of L-39 Albatros aircraft still in service with dozens of military operators and a number of demo teams, and especially with its new L-39NG aircraft, AERO has established itself as a leader in the global jet trainer market. In the civil aviation sector, AERO works with major aircraft manufacturers on a wide range of projects and is a partner in several risk-sharing programs, where it is responsible not only for the manufacture and assembly of aircraft assemblies, but also for their development.
Contact:
Radka Černá, PR & Communications Manager
e-mail: radka.cerna@aero
mobil: +420 608 974 258
Facebook: @aerovodochody
Twitter: @AERO_Vodochody
LinkedIn: @Aero-vodochody-aerospace-a.s.
