On 3 February 2026, the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków hosted the ceremonial unveiling of the Acro Viper aircraft — a unique Polish aerobatic prototype which, following its completed restoration, has been introduced to the permanent exhibition. The event brought together the creators of the project, witnesses of its history, distinguished representatives of the aviation community and a large gathering of guests and media.
The ceremony was opened by Tomasz Kosecki, Director of the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków, who emphasised the exceptional place of the Acro Viper in the history of Polish aviation thought. He then, together with Zbigniew Kwieciński — a pilot and cousin of Paweł Kwieciński, the originator and patron of the aircraft — and Wiesław Cena, a test pilot responsible for the maiden flight of the machine, performed the symbolic unveiling of the exhibit.
A special gesture was the handover by Zbigniew Kwieciński of the original instrument panels — for the first and second cockpit — which are part of the Acro Viper’s history.
After the unveiling of the aircraft, those directly involved in its creation took the floor. Wiesław Cena recalled the maiden flight of the prototype and the challenges that emerged during the first flights. Jerzy Mastek, an aircraft designer, gave an insight into the behind-the-scenes of the design work and the development of the machine, while Zbigniew Duźniak, an aircraft mechanic, spoke about the technical facilities of the project, created together with a group of mechanics from Bielsko. Also participating in the event was the son of designer Wiesław Gębala, who was responsible for the composite technology used in the aircraft’s construction, giving the gathering a particularly personal and intergenerational dimension.
Also attending the ceremony was Adela Dankowska — an outstanding glider pilot, multiple world record holder and recipient of the highest gliding distinction of the FAI — the Lilienthal Medal. Her presence underscored the importance of the event and its significance for the entire aviation community.
The great interest of guests and the media confirmed how important in the history of Polish aviation and public awareness are the “most recent chapters” of Polish Wings — those which witnesses can still recount in person.
The introduction of the Acro Viper to the exhibition is another example of the mission of the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków as a guardian and custodian of the memory of Polish aviation — both the most distant past and the relatively recent. The Acro Viper, the only surviving prototype specimen, remains today a tangible testament to Polish design ambitions, engineering courage and dreams of creating a modern Polish aerobatic aircraft.
We invite you to view the photo gallery from the event:
