Me-262 Confirmed for Aviatická Pouť to Finish the Unfinished Business
The skies above Pardubice are set to roar with history once again. The Messerschmitt Me-262 Schwalbe, the world’s first operational jet fighter, has been officially confirmed for the 33rd Aviatická pouť airshow, scheduled for June 7-8, 2025, at Pardubice Airport. After last year’s disappointing cancellation due to bad weather, this announcement brings a wave of excitement for aviation enthusiasts eager to see this legendary aircraft in action.
Organizers of the event have made it clear that this is more than just another airshow appearance—it’s a promise kept. The Me-262’s return is a chance to finish what was left undone in 2024, when weather grounded not only the Schwalbe but also another rare Second World War icon, the Messerschmitt Bf109 G-14. For those who’ve waited, the 2025 event is shaping up to be a must-see spectacle.
Me-262 / Royal International Air Tattoo 2023
The confirmation came straight from the Aviatická pouť team, who shared their enthusiasm in an official statement: "Dear friends and supporters of the Aviation Fair, we would like to offer you TZ about a plane that could not arrive last year due to bad weather and it was very important to us to fulfill our promise this year. Succeeded and the legendary Me-262 Schwalbe will arrive. We are looking forward to seeing you on the 7th and 8th June 2025 at Pardubice Airport." The statement goes on to highlight the aircraft’s significance, noting that visitors will witness "the first combat aircraft powered by jet engines" at this year’s event. It’s a nod to the Me-262’s groundbreaking role in aviation history and its deep ties to the Czech landscape, where it saw combat in the final months of World War II.
Last year’s cancellation was a tough blow for fans. The Me-262 had been slated to appear alongside the incredibly rare 1944 Messerschmitt Bf109 G-14, a fighter powered by its original Daimler Benz V-12 inverted liquid-cooled piston engine. Operated by Hangar 10 at Heringsdorf Airport in Zirchow, Germany, the Bf109 was another highlight that never made it to Pardubice due to unrelenting weather. The absence of both aircraft left a void at the 2024 event, making this year’s confirmation of the Me-262 all the more meaningful. Organizers are clearly determined to make up for lost time, and the anticipation is palpable.
The Messerschmitt Me-262 Schwalbe—known affectionately as the "Swallow" in German—is a name that resonates with anyone who knows their aviation history. Introduced in April 1944, it was a game-changer, marking the dawn of the jet age in military aviation. With its partially swept wings and unmatched speed, the Me-262 outpaced every Allied aircraft of its time, including Britain’s Gloster Meteor. Designed initially as an interceptor to counter the relentless Allied bombing campaigns, its deployment was famously delayed by Adolf Hitler, who insisted it be repurposed as a fighter-bomber—a decision that frustrated Luftwaffe commanders. Despite the setbacks, the Me-262 proved its worth when it finally took to the skies, with German pilots racking up an impressive tally of 542 Allied aircraft shot down by war’s end.
Over 1,430 Me-262s were produced before Germany’s surrender in 1945, and their presence was felt strongly over Czech territory in the spring of that year. These jet fighters played a role in some of the war’s final battles, including efforts to suppress the Prague Uprising in May 1945. After the conflict, the Czechoslovak military saw the potential in this advanced machine. The Prague-based Avia company pieced together ten Me-262s from damaged wrecks left on Czech soil, integrating them into the nation’s air force as its first jet aircraft. Today, two of those historic planes are preserved at the Aviation Museum in Prague-Kbely, a testament to the Me-262’s lasting legacy in the region
The star of the 2025 Aviatická pouť isn’t an original Me-262—none of the wartime survivors remain airworthy—but a meticulously crafted replica. Operated by the Flugmuseum Messerschmitt and supported by the Airbus Heritage Flight, this aircraft is one of five built in the United States as part of the ambitious Me-262 Project, launched in Texas in 1993. The project aimed to bring the Schwalbe back to life, using a genuine two-seat Me-262B-1, borrowed from the US Navy, as the blueprint. The result was a small fleet of airworthy replicas: one single-seat Me-262A-1, two Me-262B-1 two-seaters, and a pair designed to switch between single- and two-seat configurations as needed.
The D-IMTT, like its siblings, isn’t an exact copy of the wartime original, and that’s by design. Safety and reliability were top priorities for the Me-262 Project team. The replicas feature a strengthened undercarriage to handle modern flight demands, and their power comes from General Electric CJ610 turbojet engines—smaller, more dependable successors to the original Junkers Jumo 004B engines that powered the wartime Me-262s. To keep the iconic look intact, these modern engines are cleverly disguised to mimic the Jumo’s distinctive shape. The result is an aircraft that captures the spirit and silhouette of the Schwalbe while meeting today’s airworthiness standards. For enthusiasts, it’s a rare chance to see an Me-262 in flight, preserving a piece of history that might otherwise remain grounded in museums.
The Flugmuseum Messerschmitt, based in Germany, has taken on the role of caretaker for D-IMTT, ensuring it’s ready to thrill crowds at events like Aviatická pouť. Their partnership with the Airbus Heritage Flight—a division of Airbus dedicated to preserving aviation milestones—adds another layer of prestige to the aircraft’s appearances. Together, they’ve kept the Me-262’s story alive, bridging the gap between its wartime origins and its modern-day resurrection. Each flight is a tribute to the engineers who built the originals, the pilots who flew them, and the enthusiasts who still marvel at their legacy.
For those planning to attend Aviatická pouť on June 7-8, 2025, the Me-262’s return is the headline act of an already packed airshow. After last year’s weather woes dashed hopes of seeing this jet icon, the confirmation of D-IMTT’s arrival feels like a victory lap. It’s a chance to stand on the tarmac at Pardubice Airport, look up, and watch history unfold in the roar of jet engines. Whether you’re a hardcore aviation buff or just someone who loves a good story, this is one event you won’t want to miss. The Me-262 Schwalbe is back to finish its unfinished business—and it’s bringing the past into the present with every pass through the sky.
Visit the official Aviatická pouť website to discover all the exciting details and updates regarding this remarkable airshow by clicking here.
