On the weekend of July 26–27, the family aviation picnic “Winged Tarnów” took place in Tarnów. The event was connected with the 80th anniversary of Operation Most III (Bridge III), carried out on the night of July 25–26, 1944. On that night, an Allied Dakota aircraft transported 4 “Silent Unseen” (Cichociemni) soldiers to the “Motyl” (Butterfly) landing strip (located 18 km from Tarnów — near the village of Wał-Ruda) and took away V2 rocket parts. The project was co-organized by: the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków, Mościce Cultural Centre, and the Tarnów Region Museum.
Last year Nowy Sącz — now Tarnów
“Winged Tarnów” continues the idea launched last year of promoting Małopolska’s aviation traditions. In 2023, the Polish Aviation Museum together with the Małopolska Cultural Centre SOKÓŁ and the Sącz Region Museum organized “Winged Nowy Sącz”. That event commemorated the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Glider School in Tęgoborze on Mount Rachów. This year it was Tarnów’s turn, a city with an equally rich aviation history.
Substantive Friday — discovering the region’s aviation history
The event began on Friday afternoon, July 26. It was opened with the vernissage of the “Winged Tarnów” exhibition. Participants could also attend lectures:
At 7:30 PM, event participants could watch the film “The Courier“, which tells the story of Operation Most III, and after 9:00 PM a nighttime hot-air balloon launch took place.
Winged Saturday with the Museum’s flying exhibits
On Saturday, during the picnic, spectators could admire the following aircraft in flight: Zlin Z 142, VULCAN C100-RG, RWD-5, Tulak from the Experimental Aviation Association, as well as the Museum’s flying exhibits — Yak-18 and Piper Cub.
On the ground, a Pirat glider from the Podhalański Aero Club was on display, along with models built by modellers from the Tarnów Region Aero Club.
Our Museum stand offered numerous attractions:
At the Museum shop, visitors could purchase interesting publications, including a guide to places of aviation tradition in our region: “Following the Aviation Traditions of Małopolska“, which contains detailed information and locations of all drop zones and landing strips of the “Most” (Bridge) operations (also available online at the online shop).
Moreover, the family aviation picnic was full of animations, workshops, artistic performances, competitions, and shows by historical reenactment groups. Visitors could also practice their aim at a container shooting range and try out military equipment presented by the Tarnów branch of the Military Recruitment Centre.
We invite you to view the photo gallery from the event:
Photos: Przemysław Sroka, Mościce Art Centre
Uncredited photographs — Iwo Wachowicz, Polish Aviation Museum
