The second weekend of April (10–12 April) saw the MTSR Sowiniec Cup 2026 competition – one of the most prestigious international space modelling events, included in the official FAI calendar. The event was organised by the MTSR “Sowiniec” Modelling Section, in collaboration with the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków, the Kraków Aeroclub and the “Dom Harcerza” (Scout House) Youth Cultural Centre.
Sixty-five competitors representing eight countries took part in the competition at the airport in Pobiednik Wielki to compete at the highest level in one of the most demanding and spectacular model-making disciplines. The programme included a series of challenging competitions in which both the precision of the models’ construction and the skills required to pilot them were key.
The international line-up and the presence of an experienced jury from Poland and Slovakia confirmed the high standing of the competition as one of the most important events in the modelling calendar.
Friday
The competition began on Friday, 10 April, with the arrival and registration of competitors, which took place at the Main Building of the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków between 5 pm and 9 pm.
Saturday
It was a day of intense competition at Pobiednik Wielki Airport. Registration of competitors began early in the morning. Then, between 7.15 and 7.30 am, the opening ceremony took place, officially launching the competition and kicking off the first events. At the same time, S7 class models were being accepted for static judging. The first day brought a great deal of sporting excitement. Competitors vied for victory in three demanding classes:
In the evening, after the S7 category models had been returned following the static judging, the competitors went to the Polish Aviation Museum, where a presentation and an integration meeting were held.
Sunday
The final day of competition. The competition at the airfield began at 08:00 and included the following categories:
An additional competition, outside the scope of the FAI regulations, was the Show category, during which competitors were able to showcase their most creative and spectacular designs.
The competition concluded with an awards ceremony and the official closing at 1.30 pm.
The MTSR Sowiniec Cup 2026 competition is not only a sporting contest, but also an opportunity for the modelling community to meet, exchange experiences and promote space modelling. The event attracted a large audience, who were able to watch the preparations for the launches up close and admire the craftsmanship of the builders.
Detailed results of the competition are available HERE
The Polish Aviation Museum, as a co-organiser, played an active role in the preparation and delivery of the event. Competitor registration took place in the Museum’s Main Building, where a gathering of participants was also held following Saturday’s competitions. We are delighted to have been able to contribute to this unique initiative and support the development of space modelling in Poland. We are already eagerly looking forward to the next edition of the competition.
Take a look at the photo gallery from the event:
fot. Anna Moryś
