Historical Aircraft and Military Vehicles: New Season Begins at Kbely Aviation Museum in Prague

The Kbely Aviation Museum is opening its new visitor season today. Visitors can expect a programme featuring historic aircraft, flying classics and an exceptional new addition from Austria.

The Kbely Aviation Museum in Prague is opening its new visitor season today, 25 April. Following the winter break, the museum, which belongs to the Vojenský historický ústav Praha, is presenting several restored exhibits as well as an exceptional new addition from Austria.

One of the main attractions of the new season is the fully restored replica of the Aero Ab-11 biplane. Exactly 100 years ago, the aircraft completed a record-breaking promotional flight covering more than 15,000 kilometres across three continents and 23 countries. The crew at the time consisted of Staff Captain Vilém Stanovský and mechanic František Šimek. During the mission, they spent more than 91 hours in the air.

Foto: Letecké muzeum Kbely

The aircraft, which journalists at the time referred to as the “Blue Bird”, was intended to promote internationally the quality of aircraft produced by Aero as well as engines manufactured by Breitfeld, Daněk a spol. Restorers Petr Ježek and Jindřich Zimák spent almost two years returning the machine to its original 1926 condition.

Prototype of TOM-8 Training Aircraft Also on Display

Following extensive restoration work carried out in the workshops of the state-owned company LOM Praha, the second prototype of the VZLÚ TOM-8 training aircraft is also being presented. The aircraft had originally been intended as a successor to the C-11 training machines. However, due to the transition to jet aircraft, it remained only a prototype.

To mark the 70th anniversary of Jaroslav Dobrovodský’s test flight on 23 April 1956, the aircraft is now being presented for the first time in fully restored condition.

Foto: Letecké muzeum Kbely

Historic Military Vehicle Described as a Worldwide Unique Example

A rare 1914 military vehicle of the type Praga R is also being shown publicly for the first time. The vehicle was acquired for the collection of the Military History Institute from a private collector in Austria.

According to the museum, it is the fourth vehicle produced in a series of only five searchlight vehicles equipped with Siemens searchlights and originally supplied to the Austrian army. The searchlights could be used both for anti-aircraft defence and signalling purposes.

Foto: Letecké muzeum Kbely

Particularly exceptional is the vehicle’s fully documented history. After the First World War, the vehicle was taken over in 1922 by the Viennese company TEJO Filmlicht Gesellschaft and was later used in film productions. These included the well-known 1932 film The Blue Light by director Leni Riefenstahl.

In the 1970s, the vehicle came into the possession of the Volunteer Fire Brigade in Vienna, where it was restored. It was later returned to its original First World War military appearance by the collector Haar. In 2025, the original Siemens anti-aircraft and signalling searchlight was also acquired and reinstalled.

“With this vehicle, the Military History Institute has obtained a worldwide unique example of Czech military vehicle engineering,” said Michal Burian, director of the museum department of the Military History Institute Prague.

Historic Aircraft to Take to the Skies

Flying demonstrations by historic aircraft are traditionally part of the museum’s season opening. Provided weather conditions and the technical condition of the aircraft allow it, several historic aircraft are expected to take to the skies.

Foto: Letecké muzeum Kbely

Planned demonstrations include the Zlín Z-381, Zlín Z-126 Trenér and Aero C-104 aircraft. An Aero L-60 Brigadýr is also expected as a guest aircraft.

Museum Recommends Travelling by Public Transport

The Kbely Aviation Museum recommends that visitors travel by public transport. Parking options near the museum are limited and are typically filled quickly. The “Letecké muzeum” bus stop is located directly in front of the museum and is served by several routes from the direction of the Prague Metro station Letňany.

Letecké muzeum Kbely
ul. Mladoboleslavská, Praha 9 – Kbely
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