The Polish Heritage Flight: Remember. Inspire. Unity. (Pamiętamy. Inspirujemy. Zjednoczeni.)The Atkinson

Date: Saturday 15 April 2023 – Saturday 30 September 2023

Free Entry

Monday – Saturday. 10am – 4pm.
Closed Sundays & Bank Holidays.
Plan your visit here.

Remember. Inspire. Unity.
Pamiętamy. Inspirujemy. Zjednoczeni.

On 11th November 2019 the Polish Heritage Flight was formed.

As part of the Historic Aircraft Collection based at the Imperial War Museum Duxford, the project aims of The Polish Heritage Flight is to bring to life the stories of the people that came to the ‘island of last hope’ to take up the fight from Britain and throughout the Second World War. Their ethos is to tell the story of all aspects of the Polish Story.

The Polish Heritage Flight fly in tribute to not only Fighter Command, but also Bomber Command, Costal Command and all those that served in all the Services and Conflicts.

Through objects, stories and images learn a little more about those who once gave themselves for our freedom.

: Czech pilot SGT Josef Frantisek of 303 (Polish) Sqn.

: Canadian, John A Kent Flight, Commander.

: Franciszek-Kornicki

: Franciszek Kornicki in BM597.

: Spitfire BM597. Image credit Andy Dziegiel.

: Hawker Hurricane G-HURI

: Hawker Hurricane G-HURI

Further Activities:

Make your own Spitfire with this guide by artist Suhail Shaikh.

Suhail Shaikh is a self-taught paper artist. As a little boy in India, his grandmother helped him make his own toys from scratch. Paper and cardboard recovered from discarded packaging was easy, fun and quick to manipulate. From making his own toys, he moved on to making detailed model airplanes.

BM597 Comic Strip by Atholl Buchan

This Comic (in the style of the Famous ‘Commando’ comic strip) depicts a particular entry in the Operational Record Book for 20th August 1942, flying from RAF Woodvale. It features Franciszek Kornicki, former commander of 308 and 317 Polish Squadrons, and his son Richard Kornicki was involved and approved of the concept.