Polish Version

First of all I have to say that although I was interested in aviation for many years, I learned about Polish Aviation Museum not long ago. From my early childhood I used to visit Cracow once or even twice a year. I knew a lot about historical monuments of this old city, but never noticed this Museum. I fund out about it accidentally while searching Internet in order to get knowledge about air shows in Poland. First sight at it’s web site convinced mi that I lost a lot not being there. No wonder, many of the old airplanes exhibited in Goraszka came from this museum.

My decision was clear. If some air show was scheduled at the end of June on the old airport belonging currently to the Museum, this is the right time and right place to be there. I came to Cracow one day earlier, just to have enough time to watch everything. This was very good decision. There are not too many tourists in museum in June, so I was able to watch in peace, and what is very important, I had no problems with other visitors coming too close to the aircraft while I was taking the picture of it. I have to say that one day is not enough to visit all of museum divisions. Having not enough time I had to cancel my visit in the hangar with collection of engines. Just thought that old motors are not enough photogenic.

Walking across the hangars I felt something like “journey in time”. No, I am not talking about the feeling of old airplanes. In the medium size hangar, where the airplanes from the beginning of the aviation (1909-1920) were gathered, I joined accidentally group of young students listening to the lecture of historian Jan Hoffmann. I felt like being at least two times younger. I never had occasion to hear such an interesting lecture about aircraft engines and onboard ammunition. This event was not planed, but it was very nice. I afraid that if you would like to understand what am I talking about, you first should have opportunity to listen such a lecture.

Concerning pictures I have to explain why some of them, I mean those taken in hangar, have very strange look. While taking pictures I hate two things: sharp shadows caused by flash light and fighting with tripod. I decided that all of the pictures will be taken with the day light and hand held. This was possible thanks to Kodak Ultra Zoom 800. Unfortunately, the price for this decision is easily observed: very large grain. Perhaps my next visit in the Museum would be occasion to change my habits and to take advantage of flash and tripod. Perhaps this would be occasion to take some pictures of aircrafts' engines also, without which aviation would never exist.

Believe mi, these 126 pictures do not show everything, this is just a small part of Museum collection. For those interested to see more I would recommend to visit Museum – preferably not in tourist season. Visiting Museum will give you opportunity to buy literature which is not available in other book stores. And if you are too far or too busy, virtual visit is always possible on Polish Aviation Museum in Cracow official web site. You will find there complete list of Museum’s collection.

Although I was collecting data very carefully, I afraid that it was impossible to avoid some mistakes. In the case of any doubts, please do not hesitate to contact me. I will be very grateful for any information allowing me to fix the bugs.

Welcome to the slide show from this magnificent Museum.

Adam Wiktor Kamela