Vagn and I left Budapest on an early morning of the 25th April. Before leaving, we had a breakfast in a cafe in the downtown, sitting by a window and watching people hurrying up for work. It was going to be another busy day in Budapest. We had a flight plan at 09:00 UTC with takeoff at Budaörs, and didn’t really know how this day was going to be, so we bought a couple of sandwiches to go. It was a nice morning; +25C and sunshine. When we got to Budaörs, one of the two oldtimers parked close to our aircraft, a double-decker Polikarpov PO-2 (photo below, right), was warming up its engine.
The reliable, uncomplicated concept of the PO-2’s design made it an ideal trainer aircraft. It was a low-cost ground attack, aerial reconnaissance, psychological warfare and liaison aircraft during the WWII, proving to be one of the most versatile light combat types to be built in the Soviet Union. It is one of the most produced aircraft, and may be the most produced biplane in history, with as many as 30,000 PO-2 built between 1928 and 1959.
The other one on the photo above, left, is the Rubik R-18 Kánya, a Hungarian light utility and glider tug aircraft. It was designed by Ernő Rubik, the father of the designer of the Rubik’s Cube. The first three aircraft were considered prototypes, and they were followed by six production aircraft, all designated R-18c and built in 1953-1954. They were registered HA-RUD to HA-RUI. One aircraft was fitted with skis for winter use. They continued in use until 1966 by which time all aircraft except two had crashed and/or been scrapped or withdrawn from use. The R-18a crashed in 1949 and was subsequently used as an instructional airframe.
Two aircraft survived:
– HA-RUF, that was withdrawn from use in 1966 but was restored to flying condition in 2012 by the Goldtimer Foundation, and is based at Budaörs airport (the one on the photo above), and
– HA-RUG, it was withdrawn from use in 1966, and was placed on display in the Hungarian Technical and Transportation Museum in Budapest, but the building was demolished in 2016 and the current status of the aircraft is unknown, according to Wikipedia.
We took off, and appreciated the views of the city of Budaörs from air:
Our final destination for the day was Plasy, Czech Republic, with a stopover in Kunovice where we wanted to visit an aviation museum. The first leg of the trip:
The weather was nice, but with lots of turbulence. We planned the day’s tour in tailwind – at least that made it easier.
The mountains of Slovakia we flew over:
There were lovely landscapes on our way, lots of castles and ruins of castles, mountains, rivers…
The airfield at Kunovice has 3 (!!!) runways. We got 27C for landing. Left downwind:
On left base. Imagine to live in a place like that – watching aircraft landing! A dream…
Kunovice is a home to three aircraft manufacturers: Czech Sport Aircraft, Evektor-Aeroteknik, and Let Kunoviche.
The aviation museum is located close to the aerodrome. We got permission to taxi there, instead of walking, and parked our aircraft by a blooming apple tree. When we were taxiing on a normal road, cars on our way gave way to us – I guess those people there were all pilots, and understood our needs. It was a fenced area, no public traffic.
The entrance to the museum:
Zlin Z-37TM on the photo below. First armed prototype of a popular crop version was developed by Let Kunoviche in 1981.
From right to left, behind me: MIG-19 PM, MIG-21 F-13, and SU-7 BM:
Aero Ae-45 that was in production in Kunovice during 1954-1958:
Zlin Z-126 and with Jakovlev JAK-11 in the background:
Mi-4 helicopter:
And I was most fascinated by the Avia IL-14 FG:
The museum isn’t big, there are only about 25 aircraft, and we found it very suitable for a 2 hours stopover. It was very interesting to see, we didn’t get tired, it was just the right size. After the museum we had lunch in a local cafe “OK-BAR”, on the site. It was a good name: OK is a prefix in call sign for Czech aircraft. They had an extensive menu, and both Vagn and I were so delighted to have a Shopska salad of fresh veggies, with sirene and grilled chicken! We were a bit bored of all that eating in restaurants, and needed something “earthy”. It was +28C, and having lunch in a shadow of a parachute used as a table umbrella was nice and relaxing.
With the new energy, we continued to Plasy:
Again, beautiful landscapes and lots of sunshine – we were heading west. A light overcast later was a great relief…
The town of Plasy on the photo below. We were going to stay there for a couple of days:
Plasy aerodrome has been hosting the biggest airshow in the Western part of Czech Republic for the past 20 years. I wanted to go there past two years, but had to cancel my trips due to weather in Denmark. But I didn’t give up, and the third time I made it! We were welcomed by the tower:
They were very busy with all those preparations and arrangements; we were glad we arrived two days before – so that we wouldn’t be of much disturbance. Got help with refuelling:
Watched other aircraft training:
Last year, I was going to stay at a place called “Na Tractorce” – a three-bedroom house in Plasy. I was going to fly with Henrik Mahler, another pilot-friend of mine. I didn’t feel comfortable with the gusty winds in the southern Denmark, and cancelled the tour to Plasy. With Henrik, we flew to the Swedish island of Öland instead, where we spent three days. I informed the owners of “Na Tractorce” that I wouldn’t be arriving, so that they didn’t wait for me. In the beginning of 2019 they contacted me and invited to stay in their house, if I wanted to come for the airshow. What a gesture it was! I happily accepted. Vojta and Iveta, his mom, picked us up from the aerodrome. Again, it was so nice of them – we could walk, it is about one km from the airfield. Iveta and Vojta showed us the house, and wished a nice evening.
We were very tired, it was about to be late. We decided to eat at home, the things we had in our backpacks – the two sandwiches we bought in Budapest early morning, a small package of nuts, two muesli bars, and a chocolate bar. We also had a bottle of Romanian wine that we shared. The house was spacious, and we looked forward to get a good sleep.
