Franciszek Żwirko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Franciszek Żwirko
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Franciszek Żwirko in 1932
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| Born | 16 September 1895 Sventiany, Russian Empire
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| Died | 11 September 1932 (aged 36) Těrlicko, Czechoslovakia
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| Resting place | Powązki Cemetery |
| Nationality | Polish |
| Occupation | Aviator |
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Franciszek Żwirko (pronounced like: frantsishek zhvirko) was a famous Polish pilot. He was born on September 16, 1895, and sadly passed away on September 11, 1932. He was known for both military flying and sports aviation. Along with his friend Stanisław Wigura, he won a big international air competition called the Challenge 1932.
Contents
Early Life and Military Flying
Franciszek Żwirko was born in a town called Sventiany, which was near Vilnius in Lithuania. At that time, this area was part of the Russian Empire. He went to school in Vilnius.
When World War I started, he joined the Russian Army. He trained to become an officer and fought against the Germans. He was even given an award called the Order of St. Anna. Later, in 1917, he joined a Polish military group formed in Russia. After this group was no longer active, he fought in another army against the Bolsheviks in the Russian Civil War. During this time, he also learned how to be an air observer. After the war ended in 1921, Żwirko made his way back to Poland.
Becoming a Pilot in Poland
Once in Poland, Franciszek Żwirko continued his aviation training. In November 1923, he finished aviation school in Bydgoszcz. He then went to a higher pilot school in Grudziądz. He became a fighter pilot in the 1st Air Regiment. His rank was porucznik pilot, which means flying lieutenant.
Żwirko was known as a very skilled and calm pilot. He also started to get involved in sports aviation. In August 1927, he flew a military plane called a Breguet 19. He came in second place in an air contest in Yugoslavia. He even won the rally part of that contest. From 1929, he worked as a special officer for the University Aeroclub in Warsaw.
Flying with Stanisław Wigura
His new job allowed him to spend more time on sports flying. This is where he met many young people who loved aviation. He became especially good friends with a young engineer named Stanisław Wigura. Wigura was one of the people who designed planes for the RWD team.
From then on, Żwirko and Wigura often flew together. Wigura would join as a mechanic and second pilot.
- Between August 9 and September 6, 1929, they flew an RWD-2 plane across Europe. Their journey covered about 5,000 kilometres (5,000,000 m) (about 3,100 miles). They flew from Warsaw to Paris, then to Barcelona, then to Milan, and finally back to Warsaw.
- On October 6, 1929, they won the 1st Rally of South-Eastern Poland.
- On October 16, 1929, Żwirko and another pilot, Antoni Kocjan, set a new international altitude record. They flew the RWD-2 to 4,004 metres (13,136 ft) (about 13,136 feet) high. This was a record for light tourist planes.
Winning Competitions and Setting Records
Franciszek Żwirko and Stanisław Wigura continued to fly together and win many competitions.
- In July 1930, they took part in the International Tourist Plane Competition Challenge 1930. They flew an RWD-4 plane. However, they had to stop competing on July 25 because of engine trouble after an emergency landing in Spain.
- In September and October 1930, they won two more contests in Poland. They won the 2nd Rally of South-Eastern Poland flying the RWD-2. They also won the 3rd Light Aircraft Contest flying the RWD-4.
- In October 1931, they won the 4th Touring Planes Contest. For this, they flew a new plane called the RWD-5.
- On August 7, 1931, Żwirko and Stanisław Prauss tried to break another altitude record. They climbed to 5,996 metres (19,672 ft) (about 19,672 feet) in an RWD-7. However, this record was not officially recognized because of a problem with the recording device.
The Challenge 1932 Victory
In December 1931, Żwirko was put in charge of a training group at an aviation school in Dęblin. In April 1932, he was chosen to be part of the Polish team for the International Tourist Plane Competition Challenge 1932. This big event took place from August 20 to August 28, 1932. Żwirko chose Wigura to be his co-pilot.
They won the competition, beating strong teams from Germany and other countries. They flew a new plane called the RWD-6. This victory made them heroes in Poland! Their success was due to Żwirko's amazing piloting skills and the excellent quality of their plane, which Wigura helped design.
Tragic End
On September 11, 1932, Żwirko and Wigura were flying to an air meeting in Prague. Sadly, their RWD-6 plane crashed in a forest near Cieszyn in Czechoslovakia. The wing of their plane broke during a heavy storm. Both Franciszek Żwirko and Stanisław Wigura died in the crash. They were buried together in the Avenue of the Meritorious in Powązki Cemetery in Warsaw.
Awards and Honors
After his death, Franciszek Żwirko received several important honors.
- On September 14, 1932, the President of Poland awarded him the Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta. This was given to him for his important work in promoting aviation around the world.
- On March 12, 1933, he was also promoted to the rank of captain.
He had also received other awards during his life, including the Gold and Silver Crosses of Merit from Poland, and the Russian Order of St. Anna.
