Flying Legends of the Royal Air Force

This website is dedicated to the legacy of Czechoslovak exile airmen of 1939-1945 and their flying machines in particular. We run a collection of vintage aircraft painstakingly restored to original condition, fully airworthy and lovingly maintained and operated by a bunch of aviation professionals and enthusiasts at the same time. All these planes have in common the fact that they were piloted by citizens of Czechoslovakia during WWII: 

A 1938 Miles M-14A Magister Mk.I serial number 873 is one of five still flying examples in the world. Bearing its original RAF number N3827 she was also used by No.2 Flying Instructors School in Montrose Scotland where flight instructors' training for elementary and advanced flight schools (single-multiengined) was taking place. Many Czechoslovak pilots have been trained here since 1940. The most remarkable moment is the No.10 FI Course, held by the 2nd FIS from July 1st to August 21, 1942, featuring also two Czechoslovaks F/O Jan Mokrejš an F/Sgt. Jaroslav Šika. Both passed a two-phase syllabus on Magisters and Oxfords whereas Mokrejš carried a total of six flights on N3827 logging 7.10 hrs on the aircraft. READ MORE

De Havilland DH-82A Tiger Moth Mk.II serial number 82536 was acquired from the immaculate collection of Kevin Crumplin once he has realized that the aeroplane would be very well looked after (sure it would!). Kevin is a living legend in the world of DH-82 operating the Tiger Moth Training at Henstridge UK together with Annabelle Burroughes and Clive Davidson. This act of fellowship and mutual sympathy rather than a mere business transaction has, de facto, expanded his remarkable enterprise into Central Europe. READ MORE

The other De Havilland DH-82A Tiger Moth Mk.II is serial number 83105 (original RAF code R-5246 bearing code letter 40 on the fuselage) and was manufactured in 1940. Acquired in 2018 from the Fighter Academy Collection. 83105 is the first ever painstaking renovation completed by Kevin Crumplin. Both aircraft released by the same workshop look identical - as if they've gotten lost in time on a training flight over England where Tiger Moths were fundamental types for basic flight training of RAF pilots. Eventually, R-5246 in particular was flown by Czechoslovak airmen at 3. and 10. EFTS before they were assigned to combat squadrons of the Royal Air Force. READ MORE 

Avro Anson Mk.I serial number MH120 was manufactured in 1943 and it is now the only flying example of the original Mk.I version worldwide. Although a total of 11,020 Ansons were built most of the wartime era Ansons have been lost to the ravages of time. Only this example has been lovingly restored by Bill and Robyn Reid over an intensive decade long mission, to return her not just to pristine airworthy condition, but to 1940 RAF service stature right down to every internal detail. READ MORE

Author of the video: The Reid Family

Aero 145 serial number 20-001 made in 1960 is not a wartime veteran though however it's so much beautiful, famous and rare at the same time to star as an exemption in our collection representing all the excellent Czechoslovak post-war aircraft designs. More information here.

Photos by Petr Kolmann.

We fly for joy and edification, air displays, memorial flights and public sightseeing