Miss Schwalbe (Švalbina) is returning to Czech skies

Another legendary aircraft from World War II that will be featured in the program of the 33rd edition of the Aviation Fair is the iconic German jet fighter Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe, affectionately nicknamed “Švalbina” in the Czech Republic. On the weekend of June 7–8, visitors to this year’s Aviation Fair will have the chance to witness the world’s first operational jet-powered combat aircraft soar above the skies of Pardubi

Another legendary aircraft from World War II that will be featured in the program of the 33rd edition of the Aviation Fair is the iconic German jet fighter Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe, affectionately known in the Czech Republic as “Švalbina.” On the weekend of June 7–8, visitors to this year’s Aviation Fair will have the opportunity to witness the world’s first operational jet-powered combat aircraft in the skies over Pardubice.

“We last saw the jet-powered Švalbina at the Aviation Fair in 2016, where it received well-deserved attention. In the following years, many visitors kept asking whether we would invite it back. We attempted to do so last year, but extremely poor weather conditions over Germany thwarted our plans. Pilot Gerhard ‘GERI’ Kraegenbuhl was ready to fly to the Aviation Fair until the very last moment, but historic aircraft have their limits – and those must be respected. When we said goodbye over the phone last year, he told us that both he and Švalbina could be counted on for 2025,” says Jan Rudzinskyj from the Aviation Fair organizing team.

“The Me 262 Schwalbe, powered by two jet engines, is operated by the Messerschmitt Stiftung foundation. It is one of five replicas newly built in the United States around the year 2000, since none of the more than 1,400 original aircraft have survived in flying condition. The introduction of the Me 262 Schwalbe at the end of World War II represented a major technological leap, and the aircraft frequently saw combat over the Czech landscape in the spring of 1945. Unfortunately, they also played a grim role in the suppression of the Prague Uprising in May 1945.

Interestingly, several factories in the territory of the Protectorate were involved in its original production. After the war, many damaged aircraft were left on Czechoslovak soil. The Prague-based Avia company managed to reassemble ten of them, which became the first jet aircraft used by the Czechoslovak military air force. Two of these reconstructed planes can still be seen at the Aviation Museum in Kbely, Prague,” adds Jan Rudzinskyj.

The Aviation Fair is a traditional full-day event for the whole family. On both Saturday and Sunday, a colorful ground program will feature various displays and activities for both children and adults. The flight display itself will last more than five hours.

For more information and updates on the event’s program, visit: www.aviatickapout.cz