Ex SP-BRI.

The recently restored Polish Air Force hangar with the only remaining PZL-Mielec MD-12F displayed in front.

Developed as a successor to the Lisunov Li-2 (license-built DC-3), the MD-12 is a four-engined short-range passenger and utility aircraft developed by MZL in the late 1950s. The prototype first flew 21 July 1959. LOT evaluated the aircraft but the aircraft did not enter production as small production numbers would result in high unit costs. Instead this aerial photography version with a glazed nose and increased wing span was built and is now on display at the Polish Aviation Museum.

Given the name "Wiarus" in Polish service. This translates to battle-hardened veteran.

Note the marking C-599 on the engine cowling. I have been unable to find out what it refers to. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

This Curl carries a prominent sticker on the nose commemorating the Polish aviation pioneer and World War 2 commander, Stanisław Jakub Skarżyński. One of the first recipients of the Louis Blériot medal in 1936 for his solo flight across the southern Atlantic from Saint-Louis, Senegal to Maceio in Brazil. The flight took 20 hours 30 minutes crossing 3,582 km and establishing a distance world record in a FAI tourist plane category II. He was the first commander of the Polish Flying Schools in the UK and later CO of no 305 (Polish) Squadron. He was killed returning from raid over Bremen 26 June 1943. Detailed photo of the sticker is here.

First flown at Kharkov in the USSR (now Kharkiv in the Ukraine) and delivered to LOT 6 April 1973. Serving with the airline until parked in June 1992 expect for a period in 1987 when it was used by the Polish Air Force as 103.

The Polish Aviation Museum has an impressive line-up of Hoplites. Nearest the camera is 4316, 05, 0216, 2121, and 6048.