Hi all,
back in October 2012 I visited three Air Museums in the Czech Republic as part of an organised tour.
I’ve now finally got all the photos on to Flickr and the links are given below:-
First is the Vyskov Air Museum, 1/2 hour to the East of Brno.
This is a collection of 40 postwar aircraft, all are outside.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ajw1970/sets/72157631866834138/
Next is the National Technical Museum in Central Prague. This includes some unique WW1 aircraft and, of course, Spitfire TE565.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ajw1970/sets/72157632023254265/
Unmissable, of course, is the massive Air Force museum at Kbely. This is a fascinating collection, although it is not always easy to photograph.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ajw1970/sets/72157632146844626/
The museum has many aircraft stored around the airfield. Photo’s aren’t easy, these are the best I could do…..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ajw1970/sets/72157632264678754/
If (a BIG if) you particularly like any shot, feel free to use it however you like, but please give due credit if required!
I hope these are of interest.
Cheers
Alan
By: Willow - 4th January 2013 at 15:45
Thank you for posting those brilliant pics. Though the museum at Kbely seems to be quite crowded, IMHO it´s better to have the planes stored inside, then having better access and photo possibilities, but having to put some of the unique ones outside.
Michael
I agree completely. Let’s face it. If aircraft like these had sat outside since 1945, we wouldnt be looking at them today!
Alan
By: Robert Whitton - 30th December 2012 at 13:16
On my visit to Kbely the temperature in 2011 was below zero and very misty. Good that much is inside.
By: redvanner - 30th December 2012 at 12:43
Thank you for posting those brilliant pics. Though the museum at Kbely seems to be quite crowded, IMHO it´s better to have the planes stored inside, then having better access and photo possibilities, but having to put some of the unique ones outside.
Michael
By: Good Vibs - 30th December 2012 at 12:36
Kbely
Kbely had a nice policy (in the old days) of building important CZ aircraft that were missing from their collection.
Many of the CZ aviation industry a/c that were missing were added this way.
And yes, the Saro Cloud is one of the gems.
I like the Avia B534.
No matter what your interest are, props, jets, etc you will find it.
Like many places the aircraft displayed outside are subject to the weather which is unfortunate.
But at least they have them.
For those who have not been there…You must go!
By: Seafuryfan - 30th December 2012 at 11:43
Willow, some great photos – thanks for making the effort. Much better than keeping them to yourself, we all get to enjoy 🙂
By: mantog - 30th December 2012 at 11:41
Great pictures thanks for posting, that museum looks well worth a visit!
By: Peter D Evans - 30th December 2012 at 11:07
Many thanks for sharing these excellent shots with us Alan/Willow… very nice indeed and links will appear over on the LEMB 🙂
Cheers
Pete
By: Willow - 30th December 2012 at 09:26
The ‘pivo’ was excellent, thanks. Particularly at 75p a pint…..
One of the most annoying problems for photography at Kbely was the high wooden fences in the small hangers, together with the practice of parking vehicles in front of the aeroplanes (the tractor in front of the Avia B534 being the worst example). However the collection is so good that you forget to be angry after a while! I think I melted when I found the Saro Cloud!
The Technical museum is a fascinating place full of bikes, cars, trains etc.
While we were there they demonstrated a steam car and a pre-war motorcycle on the road outside! You could easily spend most of a day here (we had an hour!).
Finally, if you’re passing through Prague Airport don’t forget to find the prewar DC-3 preserved outside the CSA building, and the Aero 45 hanging in terminal 1.
Longshot, I can’t imagine that journey in an early Avia, that’s an amazing undertaking! The Czech aviation industry has always buily hardy aircraft though.
Cheers
Willow
By: longshot - 29th December 2012 at 16:50
Neat little trainer as lead pic at the Technical Museum
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ajw1970/8191804310/sizes/l/in/set-72157632023254265/
Amazingly some tough Czechs flew them to Croydon, Hanworth and Heston in the 1920s/1930s
By: Good Vibs - 29th December 2012 at 16:35
CZ & places to see & enjoy!
Excellent photos.
You are correct in that Kbely is difficult to photograph. Just too much in such a crowded Display area. But what “gems”!
The F-5 and AT-37 are (were) real eye openers for an ex NATO member when I first visited.
Just like the pair in Krakow,PL.
The Technical Museum downtown was renovated and they took the chance to redo the displays. The Spitfire looks great and has more space & light to show itself off compared to its place in Kbely.
Did you notice the “all bamboo” bicycle in the bicycle display area?
How about the cars and locomotives?
Vyscov is great for ex CZ jets. Some real interesting ones & easy to get close to. Too bad they are subject to the weather being outside.
The nearby Brunn/Brno Airport is fun for spotters.
How was the “pivo”?
(What a question)
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December 29, 2012 at 3:44 pm