Vojenské letecké muzeum Kbely

Hidden within the seemingly ordinary hangars of Prague’s Kbely Airport lies a treasure trove of aviation history. The Vojensk\u00e9 leteck\u00e9 muzeum Kbely, one of Europe’s largest aviation museums, reveals the story of Czech aviation from its humble beginnings to its supersonic jet age. The museum’s journey began in the mid-1960s as a project of the Prague Military Museum. The goal was to gather, restore, and showcase historic aircraft scattered across the country. Initially, a single hangar housed the modest collection of around fifty aircraft. Today, the Vojensk\u00e9 leteck\u00e9 muzeum Kbely boasts a staggering collection of 275 aircraft, with approximately 110 on display at any given time. The museum’s hangars now number four, including original Wagner-type hangars and others added to accommodate the growing collection. The Vojensk\u00e9 leteck\u00e9 muzeum Kbely offers a comprehensive look at Czech aviation. It houses a multitude of Czech-designed and built aircraft, spanning from World War I to the 1960s. Among the unique pieces is the Avia BH-11C L-BONK, a relic from the early 1920s. The museum’s collection includes pre-World War II aircraft like the Avia B-534. World War II is represented by iconic aircraft like the Soviet Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik, and the Czech versions of the Messerschmitt Me 262, the Avia S-92 and CS-92. The post-war era is showcased by aircraft like the Avia S-199 and CS-199 (modified Messerschmitt Bf 109Gs) and the Aero C3A (Siebel Si-204). The Vojensk\u00e9 leteck\u00e9 muzeum Kbely doesn’t limit itself to military aircraft. It also includes Soviet-designed airliners, some built under license in Czechoslovakia. Visitors can admire aircraft like the Avia 14M (Ilyushin Il-14), the Avia 14T, an ex-CSA Ilyushin Il-18, and a CSA Tupolev Tu-104. Light aircraft and helicopters round out the collection, featuring gems like the Praga E-114 Air Baby from 1936 and the HC-2 Heli-Baby. The museum’s evolution continued after the division of Czechoslovakia in 1993, when some aircraft were transferred to Slovakian museums. In recent years, the Vojensk\u00e9 leteck\u00e9 muzeum Kbely has actively engaged in aircraft exchanges with countries like the US, UK, Sweden, and Switzerland. This has further enriched the museum’s collection, offering visitors a diverse and compelling view of aviation history. The Vojensk\u00e9 leteck\u00e9 muzeum Kbely stands as a testament to Czech ingenuity and the country’s contributions to aviation. It’s more than just a museum. It’s a living story of the machines that took to the skies and the people who made it happen.