Re: Skalski/Franciszek Grabowski
 

Three things! Don't forget the tacky yet hot chicks showing off their boobies!

Re: Skalski/Franciszek Grabowski
 

Not in the book, I am afraid.

Re: Skalski/Franciszek Grabowski
 

Franek I am very curious:

How much did you go forward than K. Ochabska (2007) and W. Krajewski (2007)?

mw

Re: Skalski/Franciszek Grabowski
 

Krajewski's brochure was based on my research, Ochabska's book was not documented, just reworked memories of Skalski.
My book is based on documents and numerous accounts, most of them first time published in English, and a number of them never seen before.

Re: Skalski/Franciszek Grabowski
 

Ok, thanks

What do you say to the book "Generał pilot Stanisław Skalski. Portret ze śwaitłocieniem (Portrait with a Shade)" written by Sojda, Śliżewski (Almapress 2015)

Both also have an access to the documents.

regards,
mw

Re: Skalski/Franciszek Grabowski
 

Hard question, to compare my book with the one written by pals.
Well, apart of obvious difference in language, there are some differences in approach to some issues, I have some more different accounts or reports, and my book provides a full list of combat and operational sorties with serials and codes tied up (only few missing!), for example. I would say, that if you are seriously interested in Skalski, you need both books.
One thing that I am fully certain - my book looks way better on a shelf!

Re: Skalski/Franciszek Grabowski
 

BTW,

Have you tried to determine how Skalski actually destroyed the enemy aircraft (destroyed, and only damaged)?

mw

Re: Skalski/Franciszek Grabowski
 

Mostly by shooting, all are listed, destroyed, probable, damaged, not credited, with relevant combat reports.

Re: Skalski/Franciszek Grabowski
 

Dear Franek,

I have started reading your book and I find it very interesting.
Unfortunately I am not finding any information about the code/serial number of Skalski's P.11 during the Polish campaign; it appears however that he usually flew with his personal plane (later named "Zosia") but apparently no trace of ID number came to the light from official documents.

So please I would like ask your opinion about it:
1- Was Skalski's personal P.11 coded "66" or "64"?
2- Could the serial number be "8.66"?

Thank you, regards

Flavio

Re: Skalski/Franciszek Grabowski
 

Hello

I am glad that you like it!

Unfortunately, no records providing serial or code of aircraft flown are known to survive for most Polish units. No aircraft movement records are available, so the information of assignment of aircraft to units is fragmentary. I would wish to be different!

In regard of your questions.

1. Most sources state, that Skalski was assigned code 66, apparently following his memories published in Poland. No photo of the aircraft is known. However, on 5 September 2000, in presence of Many Souffan and myself, Skalski stated that he flew code 64. There are photos of such aircraft, with markings of section leader. I tend to believe Skalski, rather than his book which may have been edited, otherwise I have no explanation for that. Skalski certainly did not care much about such things. Unfortunately, there is no photo of him with his P-11.

2. Serial 8.66 is an assumption by a local researcher. There is no evidence, which would support nor deny the theory.

Addtionally, it was not uncommon to fly the aircraft available, and not the assigned one. Therefore, I cannot say with any certainity, on what missions Skalski flew his assigned aircraft.