The Polish Aviation Museum—Muzeum Lotnictwa Polskiego—occupies part of the former Kraków–Rakowice–Czyżyny airfield. Established in 1912, it was one of the earliest permanent airfields in Europe and served both military and civil aviation until its closure in 1963. The museum was established the following year.
I first visited during the early 1990s, when much of the collection stood outdoors on the surviving airfield apron. The displays were rather basic, and many aircraft showed the effects of prolonged exposure to the Polish weather. Nevertheless, it was a fascinating collection, particularly for anyone interested in Polish and former Warsaw Pact aviation.
The exhibits included Polish-built versions of Soviet aircraft alongside indigenous Polish designs. Numerous members of the MiG family were represented, including Lim fighters and SBLim two-seat trainers manufactured in Poland. One of the most unusual exhibits was the sole surviving WSK MD-12F, a four-engined photographic-survey aircraft distinguished by its extensively glazed nose.
The museum also preserved aircraft from both World Wars, including several exceptionally rare machines that had once formed part of the German Aviation Collection in Berlin. Alongside them were Polish prototypes, trainers, gliders, helicopters and an extensive selection of Cold War combat aircraft.
I returned several times, making my final visit in 2005. Although improvements had been made by then, the museum was still very different from the extensively modernised institution seen today. These photographs record the collection as it appeared between my first visits in the early 1990s and my last visit in 2005, before the opening of the museum’s new main building in 2010.
PZL‑Mielec SBLim‑2 “006” displayed beside the unique WSK MD‑12F, SP‑PBL, at the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków in the early 1990s. The SBLim‑2 was a Polish two-seat training version of the MiG‑15, while the MD‑12F was an experimental photographic-survey aircraft equipped with four Polish WN‑3 radial engines and a glazed observer’s position. Only one MD‑12F was built, making this a particularly rare survivor of Poland’s post-war aviation industry.
The museum’s Albatros B.IIa two-seat training biplane, factory number 10019, photographed in the early 1990s. Built in Germany in 1919, this remarkably long-lived aircraft continued flying until 1940 and was restored in 1986. Its Polish colour scheme represents aircraft B.1302/15 of the Aviation Observers Officers’ School at Toruń in 1920. The name “Ada” and distinctive painted eye commemorate the celebrated Polish opera singer Ada Sari
A close view of the Wright Cyclone radial engine and propeller of Curtiss Hawk II D-IRIK, photographed at the Polish Aviation Museum in the early 1990s. This historic aircraft was flown by First World War ace and aerobatic pilot Ernst Udet, including during aerial demonstrations associated with the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games. Udet’s experiments with the Hawk also helped stimulate German interest in dive-bombing. An occupied bird’s nest can be seen tucked securely among the upper engine cylinders—an unexpected resident of this exceptionally rare survivor.
Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk XVIe SM411, photographed at the Polish Aviation Museum in the early 1990s wearing the AU-Y markings of No. 421 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force. Built in 1944 and powered by an American-built Packard Merlin 266, it later served with the British Air Forces of Occupation and was flown after the war by Polish pilot Bolesław Czerwiński. After appearing in the film Battle of Britain, the Spitfire came to Kraków from the RAF Museum in 1977 as part of an exchange for the museum’s unique Airco DH.9A
The sole surviving PZL P.11c, military serial 8.63, photographed from the front at the Polish Aviation Museum in the early 1990s. Built in 1935, it served with No. 121 Fighter Squadron of the 2nd Air Regiment at Kraków and represents Poland’s principal fighter at the outbreak of war in September 1939. Captured by German forces, it was displayed as a war trophy in Berlin before being evacuated to Poland for safety. It is now the only surviving Polish fighter aircraft from the 1939 campaign
The unique surviving PWS-26 advanced trainer, factory number 81-123, photographed at the Polish Aviation Museum in the early 1990s. Built in 1937, the robust and fully aerobatic biplane was used to prepare Polish pilots for front-line aircraft and could also carry a machine gun and practice bombs for advanced combat training. Captured by Germany in 1939, this example survived the war and was restored to flight in Poland. Registered SP-AJB, it subsequently served as a glider tug from 1949 until its retirement in 1953.
Cessna UC-78A Bobcat SP-GLC, photographed at the Polish Aviation Museum in the early 1990s. One of a number of surplus Bobcats acquired by LOT Polish Airlines after the Second World War, it initially flew as SP-LEM. Transferred to Poland’s Institute of Aviation in 1949 and re-registered SP-GLC, it continued flying until 1962. Record parachute descents were made from this aircraft in July 1953, commemorated by the distinctive shark’s-mouth artwork painted around its nose. It entered the museum’s collection in 1967.
A full-size replica of the pioneering Farman IV, photographed from the front at the Polish Aviation Museum in the early 1990s. The view shows its paired-wheel undercarriage, forward elevator and extensive network of wooden struts and bracing wires. The pilot sat entirely exposed ahead of the engine, with the propeller mounted behind in the pusher configuration. Aircraft of this type were widely used during aviation’s pioneering years and played an important part in the development of Europe’s earliest flying schools.
A close view beneath the wing of the Tupolev Tu-2S twin-engined bomber, photographed at the Polish Aviation Museum in the early 1990s. One of its powerful Shvetsov ASh-82 radial engines and the heavy twin-wheel main undercarriage dominate the photograph. Built in 1947, this particular aircraft was later modified in Poland for ejection-seat trials during the mid-1950s. Following its retirement, it entered the museum’s collection in 1964.
Yakovlev Yak-12 SP-ASZ, photographed at the Polish Aviation Museum in the early 1990s. Built in 1951, this light liaison and utility aircraft served briefly with Polish military aviation before beginning a long civilian career in 1952. Its high wing, fixed undercarriage and simple construction suited operations from short and roughly prepared airfields. Retired in 1973 as the longest-serving Yak-12 in Poland, SP-ASZ was subsequently transferred to the museum’s collection.
Aero Ae-145 air ambulance — The Czechoslovak-built light twin is displayed in the blue-and-white colours and Red Cross markings of the Polish air ambulance service. Eleven Ae-145s were imported into Poland between 1959 and 1962 and remained in medical service into the 1970s. Other former ambulance aircraft are crowded closely around it in the museum’s old hangar. Photographed at the Polish Aviation Museum, Kraków, in the early 1990s.
Aero L-60E Brigadýr, SP-FXA — A Czechoslovak-built, four-seat utility aircraft developed as a post-war successor to the Fieseler Fi 156 Storch. This example was acquired by the Polish Ministry of Health in 1957 and served as an air ambulance until 1974, its high wing and long undercarriage suiting operations from small and poorly prepared airfields. Photographed in its faded blue-and-white medical-service colours at the Polish Aviation Museum in the early 1990s; its original paint scheme was restored during the 2000s.
Cockpit of a WSK SM-1 — A close view through the open cabin door of Poland’s licence-built version of the Soviet Mil Mi-1 helicopter. The compact instrument panel, Polish-labelled electrical controls and prominent cyclic control reflect its straightforward 1950s design. SM-1 production began at WSK-Świdnik in 1956, establishing Poland as a major helicopter manufacturer. Photographed at the Polish Aviation Museum, Kraków, in the early 1990s.
WSK SM-1S air-ambulance helicopter — This exterior view confirms the identity of the cockpit in the preceding photograph. The Polish-built version of the Mil Mi-1 carries a streamlined external medical pod, used to transport a stretcher patient beside the cabin. It was an uncomfortable arrangement that left the patient isolated from medical attendants in flight; the later WSK SM-2 provided enough cabin space to carry a stretcher internally. Photographed at the Polish Aviation Museum, Kraków, in the early 1990s.
Farman IV replica — A rear view looking forward through the dense network of wooden struts and bracing wires. The exposed engine and rear-facing pusher propeller sit behind the pilot’s position, illustrating the extraordinarily open construction of this pioneering pre-First World War biplane. Photographed at the Polish Aviation Museum, Kraków, in the early 1990s.
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19PM ‘905’ — A Polish Air Force all-weather interceptor displayed with an external fuel tank beneath the wing. The missile-armed PM variant carried four radar-guided RS-2U missiles and, unlike the gun-equipped MiG-19P, had no cannon armament. Delivered during 1958–59, Poland’s MiG-19s were its first fighters capable of supersonic speed and remained in service until 1974. Photographed at the Polish Aviation Museum, Kraków, in the early 1990s.
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21PF ‘1901’ — A Polish Air Force second-generation MiG-21 interceptor, NATO reporting name Fishbed-D, standing at the head of a line of MiG variants. The PF introduced RP-21 radar and a larger dorsal fuel tank, and carried radar- or infrared-guided missiles but no fixed cannon. Its weathered natural-metal finish still bears Polish insignia and a colourful unit emblem. Photographed at the Polish Aviation Museum, Kraków, in the early 1990s.
Northrop F-5E Tiger II — The former South Vietnamese light fighter sits with protective covers over its side intakes, its camouflage badly faded after years of technical examination and outdoor storage. Captured at the end of the Vietnam War, it was presented to Poland by Vietnam in 1977 and used for evaluation before entering the museum collection in 1992. Behind it stands Polish Air Force Ilyushin Il-14S ‘3078’. Photographed at the Polish Aviation Museum, Kraków, in the early 1990s.
General view of the museum’s outdoor collection — Aircraft stand closely grouped on the grass at the former Rakowice–Czyżyny airfield. At right is a Polish PZL TS-8 Bies trainer, while the unmistakable twin-boom, biplane form of the PZL M-15 Belphegor agricultural jet appears in the left background. Several other Polish and Soviet-era military aircraft fill the old dispersal beyond. Photographed at the Polish Aviation Museum, Kraków, in the early 1990s.