A few words about the Foundation

Polish Eagles Foundation, which was founded in 1997, is focused on promotion and popularization of aviation. We try to achieve this goal through many activities, e.g. organization of aviation events, supporting variety of initiatives connected to development of aviation in Poland, as well as charitable activities, mainly offered to those related to this sphere.   

The most recognized of our activities is organization of International Air Picnic in Góraszka, This internationally renowned event with the 15-year history, is getting more and more popular among general public as well as Polish and international media. Every year thousands of people come to Góraszka to admire the amazing air show, which has become one of the largest and most famous outside event in Poland. 

The mission of our Foundation is also acquisition and renovation of historical flying machines, therefore a large part of our financial funds is devoted to this aim. The unique collection of reconstructed airships can be admired in the Aviation Museum.  

More information regarding our collection:
Our Museum

Our hitherto achievements:
Foundation activities





 

fot. P. Buchman
 
 fot. B. Braniewski
fot. K. Rainka

fot. J. Kulecki

 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 


 
 
 
Renovation of Lim-2 type aircrafts


 The Polish version of MiG-15 again alive and kicking!

After several years of absence, this legendary machine appeared in the European skies. We have been working hard to bring SB Lim-2 back to flying condition in the Góraszka hangar for three years.

In 2000 the AviationMuseum run by the “Polish Eagles” Foundation has acquired two machines of Lim-2 type, manufactured in Poland in the 50-ties on license of soviet MiG-15. Lims were at that time one of the first jet fighters in the Polish Air Forces. They quickly became the basic accessories of the native military aviation and largely contributed to the development of air industry centres in our country. It is also worth mentioning that most generations of Polish pilots and aviation aces have been trained on Lims, including General Mirosław Hermaszewski, known as the only Polish astronaut.   

The airplanes were withdrawn from service in the beginning of the 90-ties and the last flight of Lim-2 in the Polish sky took place in 1993. Unfortunately, shortly after the withdrawal of the five hundred machines manufactured in Poland, most of them ended up as scrap. Only few exemplars have remained, though none of them in flying condition. 
 

Our Foundation’s airplanes Lim-2 and SB Lim-2 came to Góraszka straight from the historic aircraft collection in Łódź, which belonged to Jerzy Lewandowski. Three years ago the Foundation decided to take the challenge of bringing the two machines back to flying condition.

The renovation works have been going on from 2007, however their effects have been visible since the beginning. Firstly, works on Lim-2, which was produced in 1955, started. As the condition of the aircraft was quite good, its engine was quickly repaired so that it could be started. Therefore, aviation fans could admire this licensed fighter in Góraszka during the 12th edition of the air picnic. Successful show of taxing on the runway by Zbigniew Niemczycki, the chairman of the Foundation, heralded the beginning of restoration works.     


In the summer of 2007 restoration of the one-year older, double-seat military trainer aircraft SB Lim-2 started. During the renovation process, the machine was totally dismantled. Both wings, engine, chassis and back part of the fuselage were taken apart. All flying instruments, ejection seats, hydraulic, oxygen and fuel installations have been taken out. All the elements of the plane were serviced and additionally the key parts underwent non-destructive testing. What is more, we also conducted boroscopia of engine Lis-2 type.  

The renovation works are conducted by two of our Foundation’s mechanics - Aleksander Daniluk and Janusz Ziemba. They are real experts and they both admit that working on Lims was not a piece of cake. Thanks to their skills and patience, the labourious renovation process is finished. It is a world-wide sensation as you cannot find such a machine in flying condition in the whole Europe.


 
 Fot. P. Buchman

 
fot. W.A.F.
 
 
fot. J. Kulecki


fot. W. Hołyś


fot. A. Korotyńska

 
fot. B. Laskowski

 
fot. M. Barszcz, Aviation.net.pl


fot. G. Tuszyński
 
 
fot. P. Buchman

The renovation process of Lim-2 type aircrafts is supported by:

BRE BANK FOUNDATION
www.fundacjabrebanku.pl

PKN ORLEN S.A.
www.orlen.pl

Polkomtel S.A.
www.polkomtel.com.pl

DRABPOL
www.drabpol.pl

MAZTECH
www.maztech.com.pl