A Memorial for Polish Pilots - BoB85 Tribute

Aim: Honour the Polish pilots who helped save Britain in 1940 with a memorial at the Aviation museum in Kraków - By the Many, for the FEW!

Dear Friends,

As we approach the 85th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the PAF Memorial Team invites you to help us bring a truly symbolic tribute to life — a memorial to the Polish Pilots inspired by Winston Churchill’s iconic V-for-Victory sign, honouring not only the courage of Polish pilots but the enduring brotherhood between Britain and Poland forged in the skies over Europe.

Thanks to the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków, we have secured a profoundly meaningful site: the former airfield of the 2nd Polish Flying Regiment — the very root of the RAF 308 "City of Kraków" Squadron. The materials are ready. The site is secured. All we need now is your help to bring the steelwork to life.

This monument isn’t just a structure — it’s a message: of unity, of gratitude, and of shared sacrifice. It will stand tall, shaped in the spirit of Churchill’s V-sign, as a beacon of Polish-British friendship and remembrance.

Supporters will receive:

• A BoB85 Tribute Pin symbolising victory and alliance
• Your name engraved on a Plaque of Memory
• A Diploma of Gratitude and commemorative and exciting books

Every pledge of £5, £10, £20, £40, or £60 brings us closer to unveiling this tribute on 15th September — Battle of Britain Day.

The Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków, Poland has selected a prestigious location for the memorial exhibit - right at the former airfield site of the 2nd Polish Flying regiment the predecessor of the RAF 308 "City of Kraków" Squadron, adding a powerful historical significance to the tribute.

The materials are secured, and the project is fully adapted to the site. With the museum laying the foundation, all that's left is to bring this tribute to life in a steel plant - now we need your support for the works to make it happen!

This location is particularly significant as it is part of the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków, one of the world's most renowned aircraft museums. Established in 1964, the museum is housed on the grounds of the former Kraków-Rakowice-Czyżyny Airport, which dates back to 1912, making it one of the oldest airfields in the world. Over the years, the museum has grown into a vast collection of historic aircraft and engines, preserving Poland’s rich aviation legacy and honouring the contributions of Polish aviators throughout history.

The memorial exhibit has been thoughtfully placed beside JP II's helicopter, in close proximity to the historic hangars of the Polish Air Force and the main exhibition venue, ensuring a meaningful connection to Poland’s aviation heritage.

A truly fitting place for a memorial dedicated to the courage and achievements of the Polish Air Force!

We will update you in this chapter- there are plenty of more updates to come !

The materials are secured, and the project is fully adapted to the site. With the museum laying the foundation, all that's left is to bring this tribute to life in a steel plant - now we need your support for the works to make it happen!

The Unveiling of the PAF Memorial at the National Aviation Museum in Kraków is set to take place on 14 or 15 September 2025 on Battle of Britain Day

Watch the Unveiling of the PAF Normandy Memorial D-DAY75 video

The Battle of Britain (July–October 1940) was a crucial air campaign in which the Royal Air Force (RAF) defended Britain against relentless attacks by the German Luftwaffe. It was the first major military battle fought entirely in the air and a turning point in WWII.

Polish pilots played a vital role, with 145 Polish airmen joining the fight alongside the RAF. Despite making up only 5% of the total pilots, they were responsible for 12% of enemy aircraft shot down. 

The 303 "Kosciuszko" Squadron became the most successful Allied squadron of the battle. Their skill and bravery earned them widespread recognition, with Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding later stating that without the Polish squadrons, Britain might not have won.

Flt Sgt Mieczyslaw Popek No 303 Polish Squadron Royal Air Force

All Our Friends and Donor will receive the following Awards:

A Special "BoB 85" Pin Badge size 30mm x 40mm

EVERYONE WILL RECEIVE A SPECIAL "BOB 85" Pin Badge inspired by the memorial design as a gift*! 

size 30mm x 40mm, surface antique silver

Dispatch: Royal Mail 1st class in the UK - Poczta Polska in Poland

* minimum pledge 10 GBP

For more information: check the awards section below

Here’s a full summary of all crowdfunder rewards for supporting the BoB85 Polish Air Force Memorial in Kraków:

🎖 Air Cadet (£10) – Downloadable Diploma to commemorate your contribution. 

🎖 Pilot (£20) – Name on the Plaque of Memory (8mm letters).  

🎖 Flying Officer (£40) – Name on the Plaque of Memory (12mm letters) + personalized Diploma.  

🎖 Flight Lieutenant (£60) – Name on the Plaque of Memory (16mm letters) + all previous rewards + exclusive commemorative artwork.  

🎖 Squadron Leader (£80) – Name on the Plaque of Memory (20mm letters) + all previous rewards + invitation to the unveiling event.  

🎖 Wing Commander (£100) – Name on the Plaque of Memory (25mm letters) + all previous rewards + VIP tour of the memorial site.  

🎖 Group Captain (£500) – Name on the Plaque of Memory (30mm letters) + all previous rewards + special recognition at the unveiling ceremony.  

🎖 Air Marshal (£1,000) – Name on the Plaque of Memory (34mm letters) + all previous rewards + dedicated VIP experience at the memorial unveiling.  

🎖 Air Chief Marshal (£3,000) – Name on the Plaque of Memory (40mm letters) + all previous rewards + a Spitfire Aircraft Cast 1:50 + an exclusive VIP experience at the unveiling, plus a private tour of the Aircraft Museum with a champagne reception.

🎖 Supreme Commander (£10,000) – Name on the Plaque of Memory (45mm letters) + all previous rewards + a special maquette of the V-shaped memorial + an exclusive VIP experience at the unveiling, plus a private tour of the Aircraft Museum with a champagne reception.

The Polish Air Force Memorial in Normandy honours their courage, and its replica in Kraków symbolises their journey—commemorating their fight for freedom. This tribute will hold a prominent place as one of the main exhibits at the National Aviation Museum in Kraków.

It is fitting because No. 303 Squadron, the highest-scoring Allied squadron of the Battle of Britain, and No. 308 City of Kraków Squadron passed through Normandy on their way back to a free Poland after WWII. 

Here You can find out more about the memorial:  https://www.facebook.com/PAFNormandy/

The author of the memorial wishes that the funds raised through this crowdfunder will be transferred directly via a UK registered charity to pay for the instalments arranged with the local steel plant. 

They will be securely held as a deposit and released to cover the costs of constructing the memorial replica in Poland, ensuring both transparency and financial security.

To effectively break down the £30,000 cost estimate in relation to the three-month memorial-building milestones, here’s a breakdown of the budget.

As a generous contribution to the project, the museum of Polish Aviation in Kraków handled the permits and site preparation, covering permissions, site clearance, and groundwork. It furthermore arranges for the landscaping and lighting of the memorial exhibit.

See the Cost Estimation below

Month 1: Planning & Preparation

Steel Procurement & Engineering – £5,000,  First Instalment already paid by a sponsor !

• Covers purchase of the material, engineering consultations, and structural assessments.

Materials are secured!

Month 2: Fabrication & Assembly

Steel Procurement & Fabrication – £15,000 

• Purchasing raw steel, cutting, welding, and shaping structural elements.

Surface Treatments & Coating – £3,000 

• Applying anti-corrosion treatments and finishing touches for durability.

Month 3: Installation & Unveiling

Transport & Assembly – £5,000

• Covers delivery, on-site construction, and securing the structure.

Final Touches – £2,000

• Includes plaques, lighting, landscaping, and aesthetic details.

The total £30,000 ensures a high-quality replica, honouring Polish Air Force heroes with lasting craftsmanship by the steel plant Imperial sc.o. in Kraków, Poland under its Director Eugeniusz Kolzlowski. 

Building a steel memorial within three months requires careful planning and execution. 

Here are key milestones to keep the project on track:

Month 0: Purchase of the Materials & Site Preparation (MAY - JUNE)

✅ Site Preparation – Clear and prepare the installation location.

✅ Material Procurement – Order steel and other essential components.  

✅ Securing Permits – Obtain necessary approvals for construction.  

✅ Finalising Design – Approve the adapted architectural plans and materials.  

Month 1: Planning & Preparation (JUNE - JULY)

✅ Steel Cutting & Shaping – Begin fabricating key components.  

✅Metal Casting- Casting of the Spitfire aircraft in the foundry.

Month 2: Fabrication & Assembly (AUGUST)

✅ Structural Welding – Assemble the core framework.  

✅ Surface Treatments – Apply anti-corrosion coatings and special polishing.

✅ Foundation Work – Prepare the base for installation.

Month 3: Installation & Unveiling (SEPTEMBER)

✅ Transport & Assembly – Deliver and erect the memorial on-site.  

✅ Final Touches – Install plaques, lighting, and landscaping.  

✅ Inspection & Approval – Ensure safety and quality compliance.  

✅ Unveiling Ceremony – 15th of September Battle of Britain Day 

Dear Friends,

On behalf of the PAF memorial team I would like to invite you to join our special BoB85 Tribute. 

Let us build and unveil it together for the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain on the 15th September on Battle of Britain Day!

Hope to see you in Kraków!

yours sincerely

Alexander Smaga RIBA Architect

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Alexander Smaga is the RIBA architect and designer behind the BoB85 Polish Air Force Memorial Replica in Kraków. He previously designed the Polish Air Force Memorial in Normandy, which serves as the inspiration for this new tribute. His work focuses on preserving historical legacies through architecture, ensuring that Polish aviators' contributions are honoured and remembered.

Smaga also designed and built the D-DAY 75 Allied Airmen Memorial in Plumetot, Normandy, which pays homage to the Allied forces, including the Polish Air Force, who fought for victory during WWII. His designs are deeply rooted in historical significance, blending artistic vision with commemorative purpose.

Additionally, Smaga has personal ties to Poland’s military history—his grandfather fought in the Battle of Monte Cassino, one of the most pivotal battles of WWII. His dedication to honouring Polish heroes through architecture ensures their legacy lives on. He lives and works in London and Kraków, dedicating his career to commemorative architecture that ensures Polish aviation heroes are remembered.

Archive Picture from the project launch at the Battle of Britain Bunker in Uxbridge, London (2019)

from left to right: Architect Alexander Smaga, Jan Black Stangryciuk, SQDRN LDR James Tenniswood

The history of the Polish pilots and their motto "For our freedom and yours" stand forever as a testament to courage and sacrifice. The "V" shape of the memorial symbolizes Victory, yet it is also a double-edged sword—Polish soldiers were not allowed to march in the 1946 Victory Day parade to appease Joseph Stalin. Poland never had an official Victory Day, despite being Britain's only ally in the first years of the war and the third-largest military force by its end.

Despite Poland's unwavering fight for freedom, the nation itself was swallowed by the Soviet Union and disappeared behind the Iron Curtain for 45 years. The hard-won victory was bittersweet, as Poland lost its sovereignty and endured decades of oppression.

Today, we ensure all their legacies are honoured—the soldiers, the pilots, the workers who kept the world fighting for freedom.

Aviation24.PL

https://www.aviation24.pl/?view=article&id=12230:z-okazji-85-rocznicy-bitwy-o-anglie-powstaje-replika-pomnika-polskich-lotnikow&catid=51

Liberté, France

https://actu.fr/normandie/plumetot_14509/pres-caen-monument-hommage-aviateurs-polonais_24905981.html

International Excellence, UK

https://internationalexcellence.co.uk/luxury-magazine/content/roger-aitken/air-force-memorial-normandy-polish-pilots-launches-crowdfund

Ouest-France

https://www.ouest-france.fr/d-day/75e-anniversaire-du-debarquement-plumetot-n-pas-oublie-les-aviateurs-polonais-6389449

https://www.ouest-france.fr/normandie/plumetot-14440/plumetot-arrivee-du-monument-dedie-aux-aviateurs-polonais-6355975

https://www.ouest-france.fr/d-day/75e-anniversaire-du-debarquement-le-programme-du-week-end-des-8-et-9-juin-6388442

Property Design, Poland

http://www.propertydesign.pl/architektura/104/pomnik_polskich_lotnikow_w_normandii_to_projekt_autorstwa_architekta_alexandra_smagi,24005.html

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 2nd August 2025 at 11:15pm