On 2 May 2026, the gates of Hangar 3 at the Plzeň-Líně airfield once again opened to visitors, showcasing the historic aircraft belonging to the Classic Trainers association. This year, the event was also linked to the opening of a new exhibition room dedicated to 5. stíhací letecký pluk (the 5th Fighter Aviation Regiment).
The Classic Trainers association is an organisation that brings together the owners and pilots of vintage aircraft. All of the aeroplanes are privately owned and jointly hangared, promoted, and maintained by the association.
The collection is housed in Hangar 3 at the Plzeň-Líně military airfield. Apart from preserving the historic aeroplanes, the association runs educational activities, popularises aviation history, and honours Czechoslovak pilots who served in the Royal Air Force.
During the latest edition of the open day event at Hangar 3, visitors had an opportunity to see about a dozen aircraft up close. These included the North American P-51D-30-NT Mustang, the Pilatus P-2-05, the Morane-Saulnier MS 893A Rallye Commodore, the Stearman N2S-5 (Boeing Model 75), the Stinson Reliant, the Zlín Z-526 Trenér Master, the AT-6C Harvard Mk IIa, and the MiG-21PF.
A pleasant surprise was to see the Auster AOP.6 glider tug among the exhibited aeroplanes. Although the aircraft has been linked with the collection since the early 2020s, this was the first time we had the possibility to see it exhibited during the open day.
The Auster AOP.6 (also known as the Auster Model K) was a British military air observation aircraft introduced into service in 1945. Developed as the successor to the Taylorcraft Auster Mk V, the aeroplane was manufactured until the early 1950s and operated by the Royal Air Force, the Belgian Air Force, the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force, the Royal Canadian Air Force, the South African ir Force, and the Arab Legion Air Force.
In later years, several surplus aircraft were converted into glider tugs designated the Auster 6A Tugmaster and modified for civil use. This was also the case with the aforementioned aeroplane, which was manufactured in 1946 and began its military career with No. 664 Squadron of the Army Air Corps as TW591. After being retired from active service in the early 1960s, the Auster was converted into a Tugmaster and subsequently operated by various civil users in the UK and Northern Ireland.
In 2020, the Auster was acquired by its new owner from the Czech Republic and registered as OK-AOP. Currently, the aeroplane wears its original military livery from its AAC service.
Another interesting aircraft showcased during the event was the Piper J-3C-65 Cub, or the L-4H Grasshopper as it was designated in military service
Built in 1942, the aircraft subsequently served with the 9th Air Force as 43-30374. In 1946, the aircraft was initially acquired by the Czechoslovak Air Force but was later sold to Germany. There, the Piper was registered as D-EDID and, from 1958 onwards, operated by civil companies. Over the years, the L-4H changed hands several times and was flown in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.
In 1994, the Piper was acquired by a new owner in Germany, who had it completely restored, and registered as D-EESN. In 2025, the Grasshopper was bought by Air Smolík, a Czech company well known for its flying displays performed with the L-200D Morava and the Aero Ae-145. The aircraft, now registered as OK-ZJQ, is expected to actively participate in domestic aviation events.
Regular visitors to the Hangar 3 open days certainly noticed a small change in the appearance of the aircraft belonging to the collection. It was the addition of personal emblems used by No. 313 (Czechoslovak) Squadron RAF during the Second World War.
Those nose art designs were created by Karel Pavlík, a Czechoslovak fighter pilot who served with the squadron from 1941. He became famous for the humorous cartoons he painted on the squadron’s aircraft. In honour of his and his colleagues’ service, the Pavlík artworks were recently applied to several aircraft from the Classic Trainers collection.
The cartoons include Horác the horse (Horác is a rare Czech first name of Latin origin, related to “time” or “time measurement”), initially used on the Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb P8537 and now placed on the Stinson; Pluto the dog crying “Tally-ho”, originally painted on the Spitfires Mk Vb AA757 and BL973, now placed on the Harvard; Toby the turtle from the Spitfire Mk Vb AA865 and later added to the Auster; as well as Pavlík’s personal artwork, Figaro the cat with a “good luck” wish, initially painted on the Spitfire Mk Vb AB276 and now displayed on the Stearman.
Regrettably, despite Pavlík’s emblem praying for luck, the Czechoslovak pilot ran out of it on 5 May 1942. During a sortie flown as part of Operation Circus, he was shot down over Belgium by Josef “Pips” Priller.
Visitors to Hangar 3 could also enjoy the newly opened exhibition room, dedicated to 5. stíhací letecký pluk (the 5th Fighter Aviation Regiment). The unit was established in 1945 and operated from Plzeň-Líně airfield until 1991, when it was disbanded.
As usual, the May edition of the Hangar 3 open day was linked to the Liberation Festival Pilsen, an annual multi-day event organised to celebrate Victory in Europe Day and the liberation of the Pilsen region by the 16th Armored Division of the US Army and Belgian forces.
On this occasion, visitors to Classic Trainers also had the opportunity to see a collection of American military vehicles from the Second World War, owned and displayed by reenactors. That collection included an interesting variety of jeeps and trucks; however, our attention was particularly drawn to a well-preserved Buick Special Model 41. The exhibition also featured some more contemporary HMMWVs and a rare Steyr 100 from the 1930s.
The following day, on 3 May 2026, aircraft and vehicles from the Classic Trainers collection participated in the main Victory Day celebrations in Pilsen. A Dodge WC52 and Willys MB belonging to the association took part in the so-called Convoy of Liberty, an annual presentation of American military equipment from the liberation period. They were supported by the aviation component, comprising the Mustang, the Harvard, the Stinson, the Stearman and the Auster, which performed a flypast over the city and the convoy.
Our reports from the past editions of the open day at Hangar 3: ´Little Rebel´, Penguin and Magister – open day at Classic Trainers collection and Great collection of classic aircraft – Classic Trainers (Hangar 3).
More images from the open day:
