Legendary DC-3 and Beechcraft Model 18s of the Classic Formation to Headline Aviatická Pouť 2025
Aviation enthusiasts, get ready for a treat! The skies above Pardubice Airport in the Czech Republic will come alive on June 7 and 8, 2025, as the legendary Douglas DC-3—better known to many as the C-47 Skytrain or Dakota—takes flight alongside three gleaming Beechcraft Model 18 twin-engine aircraft. This breathtaking display, brought to life by the Swiss Association Classic Formation, will be a centerpiece of Aviatická pouť, the much-loved aviation fair now in its thirty-third year, promising a weekend of vintage elegance and aerial mastery that’s not to be missed.
The DC-3’s appearance marks a special milestone—2025 will celebrate the 90th anniversary of its first flight in December 1935. This aircraft redefined aviation, serving as a backbone for both military and civilian operations, most notably during World War II when it carried troops, supplies, and the wounded across every theater of conflict. Paired with the DC-3 are the Beechcraft Model 18s, or Twin Beeches, crafted in the early 1950s. These silver beauties, a decade younger than their wartime companion, embody the timeless charm of aviation’s golden era and add their own flair to this historic lineup.
Classic Formation / Air Waves Portrush 2018
The Classic Formation’s fleet is a testament to Switzerland’s passion for preserving aviation heritage. The Douglas DC-3, originally a civilian airliner, became the C-47 Skytrain in military service, with over 10,000 built to support operations like the D-Day invasion of Normandy in 1944. Its rugged reliability and versatility made it a global icon, and after the war, surplus aircraft found new life with airlines worldwide—including in Czechoslovakia, where 66 C-47s once flew, with dozens serving on local routes. That legacy will resonate deeply in Pardubice, a city with its own aviation roots.
The Beechcraft Model 18s, meanwhile, bring their own storied past to the event. Produced from the late 1930s into the 1960s, these twin-engine workhorses excelled in both military and civilian roles, prized for their adaptability and sturdy design. The trio joining the DC-3 in Pardubice rolled off the production line in the early 1950s, offering a glimpse into a postwar era when aviation was rapidly evolving yet still clung to its classic roots.
At Aviatická pouť, these aircraft won’t just sit pretty on the tarmac. The skilled pilots of the Classic Formation will take to the skies for a group fly-by, a display of precision and grace that will showcase the power of eight radial engines roaring in unison. Jan Rudzinskyj from the event’s organizational team can hardly contain his excitement: “The legendary Dakota will arrive in Pardubice together with a trio of slightly smaller historic twin-engine Beechcraft Model 18 Twin Beech transport aircraft. These were manufactured in the early fifties and are about a decade younger than the Second World War Dakota. Thanks to the support of DataLine Technology, a.s., spectators will definitely notice their own, but the elegant shapes of these aircraft from the ‘Golden Era’ of aviation will please the eye of the viewer even during a tour on the ground.”
Aviation publicist Petr Kolmann underscores the DC-3’s enduring fame: “The Douglas C-47 Skytrains are undoubtedly the most famous transport aircraft of the Second World War, and their significance was not only during the invasion of Allied troops into Europe in June 1944, but they operated literally on all fronts, and on their boards, countless tons of material, soldiers, paratroopers, or the wounded were transported. Although the original designation in the US Air Force is the C-47 Skytrain, these elegant twin-engine aircraft are generally known as the Dakota, under which they were placed in service with the British RAF.”
Beyond the aerial spectacle, Aviatická pouť offers a full day of enjoyment for families. The event features a rich terrestrial program, with presentations, interactive exhibits, and activities tailored for both children and adults. The flight program itself stretches over five hours, giving attendees ample time to soak in the sights and sounds of these historic machines. Thanks to the support of DataLine Technology, a.s., this celebration of aviation’s past is set to soar to new heights.
For those itching to plan their visit, more details and updates on Aviatická pouť 2025 are available on the event’s official website which you can access by clicking here. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or just curious about aviation’s storied past, this is one weekend where history truly takes flight.
