Praga E-51

The Praga E‑51 was a light, single‑engine trainer and liaison aircraft developed in Czechoslovakia shortly after World II. Designed by the engineering division of ČKD‑Praga, the aircraft first flew in spring 1947 and entered limited production the following year. Its low‑wing monoplane layout incorporated a welded steel‑tube fuselage covered with fabric, while the wings were of all‑metal construction with split flaps and a modest 105 hp Walter Minor 6‑III engine driving a two‑bladed propeller. The cockpit accommodated two crew members side by side, providing excellent visibility for training and observation duties. The E‑51’s simple, robust design allowed operation from rough fields and required minimal maintenance, qualities that made it popular with Czechoslovak flying clubs and the nascent air force. Although only a handful of units were built before the program was cancelled in favour of more powerful types, the Praga E‑51 demonstrated ČKD‑Praga’s capacity to transition from wartime production to peacetime civil aviation. Its legacy lies in showcasing post‑war Czechoslovak engineering and influencing later trainer designs such as the Let L‑200 Morava. A few surviving examples are preserved in the Czech Aviation Museum in Kbely, where they serve as educational exhibits illustrating early post‑war aeronautical design.