Still Making History
2026 brings with it major milestones of operation for several significant organizations in aviation. Let’s have a look at some of them:
100 Years
Both American Airlines and Lufthansa are marking their centennials in 2026.
The Swedish air force, Flygvapnet, also hits the century mark in 2026. On July 1, 1926, the respective air arms of the Swedish army and navy were combined to create an autonomous air force for the country.
Here’s a small gallery of contemporary and historic Flygvapnet aircraft I’ve snapped at shows in Austria and the Czech Republic over the past 20 years or so:
90 Years
The Czech aircraft manufacturer, Let was established in 1936. The company matured from a maintenance branch of the much older Avia company to a successful aircraft design and manufacturing house in its own right. The company still operates from Kunovice, in the south-east of the Czech Republic, where it was founded.
This gallery shows contemporary and historic aircraft that Let participated in or were fully their own designs:
80 Years
Cathay Pacific, Ethiopian Airlines, and Scandinavian Airlines all celebrate 80 years, as does London Heathrow Airport.
The U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels flight demonstration team celebrates their 80th display season this year.
On October 15, 1946, the modern Belgian air force was established. Until that date, the nation’s military air power was a branch of the army.
Here’s a gallery of contemporary and historic Belgian air force aircraft I’ve taken at shows over the past 20 years or so:
70 Years
The mid-1950s saw the re-establishment of the German military. The air force and navy were both made operational in 1956. As such, the air force—Luftwaffe—shares a 70th anniversary with the Marineflieger, the air arm of the navy.
Some pictures I’ve taken of Luftwaffe aircraft at shows:
Some pictures I’ve taken of Marineflieger aircraft at shows:
Pickled Wings 