The exhibition presents the extraordinary story of a pioneering rally from October 1931 — the first aviation feat by women around the borders of the Polish Republic. The nearly 3,000-kilometre route included stops in Katowice, Krakow, Lwow, Wilno, Warsaw, and Luck, and the challenge was taken up by four outstanding female pilots: Maria Wardasowna, Maria Lierowna, Danuta Sikorzanka, and Wanda Olszewska, flying PZL.5 aircraft. The exhibition can be viewed next to the RWD-13 aircraft in Hangar No. 5 from 7 March to 30 November 2026.
The undertaking attracted enormous interest from the press and the public. At a time when aviation was still regarded as a male domain, four young female pilots proved their skill, courage, and professionalism, earning widespread admiration and recognition. Their success became a symbol of the growing presence of women in aviation.
The heroines of this extraordinary expedition were four female aviators representing the aero club circles of Lwow and Silesia. Among them was Maria Wardasowna — one of the first female pilots from Silesia, rally observer, who completed her pilot training course as early as 1931 and in subsequent years also developed her gliding skills. Her passion for aviation translated into a real contribution to the rebuilding of Polish aviation after the war: she flew Po-2 aircraft on support missions, served as commandant of the Lodz Airport, and was actively involved in aero club structures.
At the controls were, among others, pilots of the Lwow Aero Club: Maria Wanda Olszewska, who obtained her tourist pilot certificate as early as 1930 and soon after her Category C glider licence, and Jadwiga Danuta Sikorzanka, an active aviator and later member of the Union of Armed Struggle. Their professionalism and experience built at the Lwow Academic Aero Club allowed them to safely carry out the demanding expedition. The fourth participant was Maria Lierowna — an observer from Silesia who had already completed 25 flights before the rally and flew in a pair with Sikorzanka in the PZL.5a “Slask” aircraft with registration SP-AFP. The press of the era highlighted her composure and professionalism, and her famous remark before take-off — about the need to attend to both perfume and cockpit clocks — became a symbolic commentary on breaking stereotypes.
The exhibition panels will feature numerous, often unique photographs documenting the course of the rally and the subsequent fates of its participants. The exhibition will be enriched with original memorabilia on loan from the Gustaw Morcinek Museum in Skoczow, which in autumn 2025 presented them to the public for the first time at the exhibition “Maryska from Silesia — A Remembrance of Maria Wardas”. The exhibition at the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow will be an opportunity for the wider public to see these exceptional objects in the context of Polish aviation history.
The showcases will include, among other items: a bust of Maria Wardasowna by artist Hanna Nalkowska, the pilot’s personal watch on a black leather strap with 5 miniature metal aviation pins attached — including a Polish Aero Club badge, a 40th anniversary Warsaw Aero Club badge (1927-1967), “Gapa” military pilot eagle with golden laurel, an SP glider badge (three seagulls), as well as a unique press clipping from “Swiatowid” from 1931: “What inspired me to become a female pilot?” along with numerous photographs and documents.
