Tag - Stanislaw Skarżyński Pilot

Poland Stanislaw Skarżyński Pilot Plane RWD-5 bis South Atlantic 1978 Stamp

1 month ago
Farhan
Countries and Territories, Historical Events and Personalities, Poland, Special Collections and Events, Special Releases, stamp, Thematic Collections
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Issue:      Poland Stanislaw Skarżyński Pilot Plane RWD-5 bis South Atlantic 1978 Stamp Type:     Stamp Number of Stamps:          1 Stamps Denomination:          1.50 ZL Issue Date:          1978 Issued By:      Poland POST

Issue:      Poland Stanislaw Skarżyński Pilot Plane RWD-5 bis South Atlantic 1978 Stamp

Type:     Stamp

Number of Stamps:          1

Stamps Denomination:          1.50 ZL

Issue Date:          1978

Issued By:      Poland POST

 

 

 

Polish Pilot Flies Solo Over South Atlantic:

The 1978 Polish stamp pays tribute to Colonel Stanisław Skarżyński a national hero who made aviation history in 1933 by completing a solo transatlantic flight in a lightweight Polish aircraft. He flew the RWD-5 bis a specially modified version of a sports plane from Saint-Louis in Senegal to Maceió in Brazil. Covering a distance of over 3,580 kilometers in just over 20 hours his accomplishment made global headlines. This was the longest solo flight at the time in the lightest aircraft ever to cross the Atlantic Ocean. The stamp issued to mark the 45th anniversary of this milestone captures the aircraft mid-flight symbolizing determination bravery and national pride.

 

Tiny Aircraft Makes Huge Impact in Aviation:

The RWD-5 bis was a small but powerful single engine aircraft designed by Polish engineers. Skarżyński version was stripped of non essentials and equipped with additional fuel tanks for the long journey. Its empty weight was just under 450 kilograms making it the lightest plane to achieve such a feat. The 1978 stamp celebrates both the man and the machine with artwork that reflects the vast ocean and the minimalist form of the aircraft. The image is simple yet profound conveying how a modest aircraft carried the weight of an ambitious nation hopes and technological ingenuity across the sea. This flight and stamp became symbols of what Poland could achieve through courage and innovation.

 

Spirit of Exploration and National Pride:

More than just a piece of mail history this stamp immortalizes a moment of human achievement and national celebration. Skarżyński flight in the RWD-5 bis is a testament to the courage and creativity of early aviators. The stamp release in 1978 served to educate new generations about this incredible journey and honor the legacy of Polish aviation. Today it remains a sought-after collectible valued not only for its design but for the powerful story it represents a story of flight risk resilience and reaching new horizons against all odds.