The Gordon Bennett Cup is the most prestigious gas balloon competition in the world, held with interruptions since 1906 under the patronage of the International Aeronautical Federation (FAI). The winning crew is the one that lands farthest from the launch site in a straight line. Polish crews have won these competitions six times:
It is worth noting that in 1934, 1935, and 1936 the Gordon Bennett Cup was held in Warsaw, and in 2021 in Toruń. After three consecutive victories, in 1935 the Aeroclub of Poland won the Gordon Bennett Cup outright (visible in the photo), which was deposited at the Polish Aviation Museum and was the most important exhibit of the exhibition. Currently, visitors can see this remarkable trophy at the permanent exhibition “With the Wind and Against the Wind — Civil Aviation” in Hangar No. 5.
Richly illustrated with archival photographs and drawings, the panel exhibition presented the history of ballooning in the world and in Poland — from the first experiments in the late 18th century in France and in Poland, through the birth of balloon sport on the Vistula, the course of the Gordon Bennett Cup competitions, and the results and profiles of the Polish champions of this elite event.
The exhibition was available from 24 August 2025 — the day of the Małopolska celebrations of Polish Aviation Day — until the end of September of the same year.
Exhibition curator: Ewa Cuber-Strutyńska
Task team: Jarosław Dobrzyński, Piotr Kolasiński, Błażej Młudzik, Paweł Rokicki
Graphic design: PIXEL Arkadiusz Morawski
