This year’s Aviation Fair, taking place on the weekend of June 1st and 2nd, 2024 in Pardubice, will also present one big premiere. For the first time since the end of the Second World War, legendary German Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter powered by an original Daimler Benz engine will appear in the Czech skies, and to make matters even more intensive, Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe jet will also perform in the program.
„We are very pleased we managed to arrange the performance of Messerschmitt aircraft at the Aviation Fair. Both types only fly on the European continent in a single piece, and their operators understandably save such jewels and consider participation in air shows accordingly. They have a large number of invitations every year and can accommodate only a few airshows. We appreciate the fact that this year Pardubice Aviation Fair is among them,“ says Jan Rudzinskyj from the organizing staff of the Aviation Fair and continues: „Each machine has a different operator and their joint participation in an airshow is quite exceptional. We have already seen the Me 262 Schwalbe jet, operated by the Messerschmit Stiftung, in Pardubice in 2016. The jet powere „Schwalbe“ marked a significant qualitative advance at the end of the Second World War and was the first aircraft powered by jet engines used operationally in combat. Of the more than fourteen hundred units produced, no flying example has survived, and the unit on display is one of five built from scratch in the United States at the turn of the millennium.
Just as the Spitfire is a symbol for the British RAF, a Yak for the Soviet Air Force of that time, the Me 109 is such an icon for the German Luftwaffe. The first versions entered service shortly before the Second World War. During the war years, it was gradually modernized and remained the standard fighter aircraft of the Luftwaffe until May 1945. The aircraft that will be presented at the Aviation Fair is the Bf 109G-14, the last version of the so-called Gustavs powered by Daimler Benz DB605 engines. Only one example is flying with this engine today, and it will be presented at the Aviation Fair. The exhibited piece from the German Hangar 10 collection was first flown in July 2018 after a demanding reconstruction,“ adds Jan Rudzinskyj.
The Aviation Fair is a traditional all-day program for the whole family. On Saturday and Sunday, there is also a rich ground program with a number of presentations and activities for children and adults. The flight program itself will last over five hours.
More information about news from the upcoming program can be obtained at www.aviatickapout.cz