Caslav AB Open Day, 2015, part 1 (statics)

[Kevan Vogler]

Yesterday was the biannual open day at the Czech air base at Caslav, which is in the central part of the Czech Republic. Caslav is home to the Czech fleet of Saab Gripens and the show coincided with the end of an international exercise on Gripen operations so there were several more of the type than usual around. 2015 also marks the tenth anniversary of on the Gripen in Czech service, so there were a couple of extras marking that event.

The show was a decent mix of military, civil, modern and vintage aircraft. In spite of less than optimal photography weather, it was a good day out:

First in the statics was a trio of preserved jets from the base's history:

The modern military statics included a Czech Gripen with special 10th anniversary tail art and a Swedish two seat model:

The Polish contingent contained a CASA 295 transport, an F-16D and a PZL SW-4 helicopter:

Historic and civil statics included a flying replica Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter:

A Beech T-34 Mentor and DeHavilland DHC-2 Beaver:

A Pilatus P.2 and Beech C-45:

[Marv]

Thanks for sharing those great shots at Caslav. The targeting pod on the Swedish Gripen indicates serious air-to-ground capability on this multi-role aircraft.

[Kevan Vogler]

Thanks for sharing those great shots at Caslav. The targeting pod on the Swedish Gripen indicates serious air-to-ground capability on this multi-role aircraft.

I'm glad you enjoyed them, Marv.

The Gripen can haul decent iron for its size. That same Gripen also had Iris-T missiles on the wingtips.

[Teeradej]

Great selection of displays! Never heard or seen Pilatus P.2 until seconds ago. Happy to see those cold war jets are pretty well preserved. :woot.gif:/>

Edited May 26, 2015 by Teeradej

[Kevan Vogler]

Great selection of displays! Never heard or seen Pilatus P.2 until seconds ago. Happy to see those cold war jets are pretty well preserved. :woot.gif:/>/>

Thanks!

The P.2 is an interesting piece of gear as a lot of its design incorporated parts salvaged from German WWII planes languishing in Switzerland after the war. The Swiss military needed a modern training aircraft in short order and cannibalizing the left over German planes was the most efficient way to do it.

The P.2 is often used to represent generic German fighters in airshows and in films. It was a P.2 that played the part of the German fighter in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" when Indy and his dad were attacked by it on the beach.

[yardbird78]

Nice pictures. Thanks for posting them.

[Kevan Vogler]

Thanks, glad you liked them.