After World War Two, many countries in central and eastern Europe were looking forward to a return of the way things were before the war. One of these nations was Czechoslovakia. Though the Soviets had 'liberated' the nation, the Czech people were still relatively free. As part of that freedom, air displays were held, bringing in aircraft from the Allied powers as well as highlighting Czech aviators and aviation.

The two major air displays were held for the populace in Prague with the initial 1946 show drawing a half million spectators. To say that there were traffic jams would be an understatement and thanks to the experiences of many, the next year's show was not quite as well attended. Unfortunately, it was the last to be held as the iron fist of Soviet rule soon descended on the Czech people and rule under communism and ruthless dictatorial government continued until the fall of the communist state in the early 1990s.

But this is a look at those years just after the war and the aircraft and men who attended and performed in those two large air shows. Both of them contained aircraft from the UK as well as from those units which were based in Germany and Austria as part of the occupying forces. It is here that the Czech people saw the Meteor, the P-80 and even their own CS-92 jet powered aircraft. Aerobatic displays were provided using mostly German designed aircraft that were built in Czech factories.

The Czech Air Force participated with displays by their many Spitfire IX squadrons. Larger aircraft such as C-47s operated at the air field during the show and during these events, the B-29 and Lincoln bombers were also displayed. Oddly absent were any Soviet participation.

Thanks to the work of the authors, photos of these events have been gathered together within the pages of this book and are a real delight to view. A book type that is not the norm, but one that needs to be. Highly recommended.

December 2011