Czechoslovakia

 
Now Czech Republic and Slovak Republic.
Czechoslovakia was occupied by Germany between 1939 and 1945. During the Second World War, Spitfires were flown by Czechoslovakian pilots of Nos. 310, 312 and 313 Squadrons RAF, these being grouped as No 134 Airfield Headquarters on 8 November 1943 and renamed No 134 Czech (Fighter) Wing on 12 May 1944.
After the war ended, to form the new Czechoslovakian Air Force (CzAF), Nos. 310, 312 and 313 Squadrons left RAF Manston on 7 August 1945 flying via Hildesheim in Germany to Prague-Ruzyne airport where an official reception was held on 16 August 1945. A second batch arrived on 24 August 1945.
Czechoslovakia received a total of 77 Spitfire LF.IXc/e and designated these as aircraft type No "S-89" (S = Stihaci, Fighter). Initially in 1945 they received 71 aircraft, in 1946 a further 5 followed and in 1947 one Spitfire Mk IX. Five of these went to the Security Air Guard who flew them from 1947 to 1951.
The CzAF had 62 Spitfire Mk IXs still on strength in March 1948 and the Security Air Guard had two. With the arrival of Russian built aircraft the Spitfires were phased out. 59 airworthy aircraft were sold to Israel in 1948/49 and a further two were supplied for spare parts in November 1949.
After 1949 only 3 Spitfires remained in the CSSR. The Security Air Guard had two until 1951 and another went to the National Technical Museum at Prague for exhibition.
 
Questions and comments are welcome although I have to admit that
I don't have the time to reply personally to all emails.
Please make sure that you check the contents of the site first for the answer
to your question - if the answer is already on the site you will not receive
any response but if not, and I do have the time, I will attempt to find an answer...
If you are a modeller please also do not send me emails regarding colour schemes or plans.
The prototype, K5054 was officially "Duck Blue" and I have no details of paint codes.
You can also purchase plans from a number of sites on the internet -
this site offers free information and I do not promote or link to any commercial sites.

Please do not send an email if you are looking for information on flying a Spitfire.....
under UK CAA restrictions we are advised that such flights are not possible.
If you would like to find out what it is like to learn to fly then you can purchase my unique book,
"Learning to Fly in 21 Days" which is my account of gaining a Private Pilot Licence in 1997.
I have also written a number of other business management books,
some of which have been recommended by The Sunday Times,
and all of these can be purchased through Amazon -
search for Phil Stone using the box below.
Search:
Keywords:
Amazon Logo
To send an email click on the spitfire

This site is designed & maintained by PK Stone Consulting,
Specialists in Corporate Strategy, Business Planning,
Marketing Analysis & Strategy together with Fraud Prevention and Detection
Please visit our website - if you run a business of any description,
and have any problems, we are sure that we can help......

14 December 2007