Zbigniew Burzynski
Encyclopedia
Zbigniew Burzyński was a Polish
balloonist and constructor of balloons, pioneer of Polish balloons, who twice won the Gordon Bennett Cup in ballooning
, also beat the world record.
and Kraków
, where he joined the Cadet Corps and in 1919 graduated. Then, he entered the Artillery School in Poznań
, after this school, briefly serving in the 2nd Mountain Artillery Regiment in Nowy Targ
.
On May 1, 1921, Burzyński was sent to a course of aeronautic observers at the Officers' Aeronautic School in Toruń
. He completed it with honors and remained there as a lecturer, also was promoted to Second Lieutenant
. He translated from French the handbook of the first Polish zeppelin
and participated in its assembly as well as first flights. In the summer of 1922, he made the first balloon flight. Next year, he was promoted to Lieutenant.
In 1924 Burzyński received training at the balloon factory in the French town of Chalais-Meudon. After returning, he opened a shop in Legionowo
, which produced fabrics for balloon bags. Under his command, first Polish balloons were made. He remained in Legionowo until 1937, being commandant of company of observatory balloons in the 2nd Balloon Battalion of the Polish Army. Also, in 1934 he was promoted to Captain. Furthermore, between 1937 and 1939 he completed the technical course for aviation officers in Warsaw, creating a prototype of the first Polish barrage balloon
.
Burzyński also actively participated in ballooning tournaments. His first competition took place in September 1928, during the National Tournament of Balloons. Flying in Lwów, together with Franciszek Hynek, they finished first, crossing the distance of 380 km. Next year, flying in Wilno, he participated in international tournament in Poznań, but without success.
In 1932 Burzyński and Hynek were the first Polish crew to participate in the Gordon-Bennett Cup. Flying the Gdynia, they crossed 1075 kilometres from Basel
to Bielany
in 17 hours, with average speed of 63 km/h, which was the best speed of all 16 crews. On February 28, 1933 Burzyński and Hynek ascended in Toruń to the altitude of 9762 m, beating the record of Poland.
In the 1933 Gordon-Bennett Cup, which took place in USA, Burzyński and Hynek won the competition, flying in Kosciuszko the distance of 1361 km from Chicago
to Aulmes in Canada in 39 hours and 39 minutes. Next year, in the Gordon-Bennett Cup in Poland, the Polish crew was second in Warszawa II. However, in September 1935, during another Gordon-Bennett Cup, Burzyński and W. Wysocki won, crossing in Polonia II 1650 kilometers from Warsaw to the town of Tishkino near Stalingrad in 57 hours and 54 minutes. During that flight, they also beat world records in length and time frame.
In the fall of 1938 Burzyński was planned to fly in the Gwiazda Polski
, but the takeoff did not take place due to fire.
During the Polish September Campaign, Burzyński was caught by the Germans and kept in a POW camp from October 6, 1939 until April 1, 1945. In November of that year, he returned to Poland. In 1955 he graduated from the Warsaw Polytechnic, earning a diploma of engineer of mechanics. Also, he initiated recreation of ballooning in Poland as well as Czechoslovakia
. He authored two books: Kosciuszko nad Ameryka (1934) and Balonem przez kontynenty (1956).
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
balloonist and constructor of balloons, pioneer of Polish balloons, who twice won the Gordon Bennett Cup in ballooning
Gordon Bennett Cup in ballooning
The Gordon Bennett Cup is the world's oldest gas balloon race, and is "regarded as the premier event of world balloon racing" according to the Los Angeles Times. Referred to as the "Blue Ribbon" of aeronautics, the first race started from Paris, France, on September 30, 1906...
, also beat the world record.
Biography
Zbigniew Burzyński was the son of Władysław Burzyński, a forestry engineer. Raised in a middle-class family, he attended high schools in Lwów, ViennaVienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
and Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
, where he joined the Cadet Corps and in 1919 graduated. Then, he entered the Artillery School in Poznań
Poznan
Poznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
, after this school, briefly serving in the 2nd Mountain Artillery Regiment in Nowy Targ
Nowy Targ
Nowy Targ is a town in southern Poland with 34,000 inhabitants , and the historical capital of the mountain region . The town is situated in the confluence of the rivers Biały and Czarny Dunajec, in a valley beneath the Gorce Mountains. It's in Nowy Targ County, Lesser Poland Voivodeship...
.
On May 1, 1921, Burzyński was sent to a course of aeronautic observers at the Officers' Aeronautic School in Toruń
Torun
Toruń is an ancient city in northern Poland, on the Vistula River. Its population is more than 205,934 as of June 2009. Toruń is one of the oldest cities in Poland. The medieval old town of Toruń is the birthplace of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus....
. He completed it with honors and remained there as a lecturer, also was promoted to Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
. He translated from French the handbook of the first Polish zeppelin
Lech (Zeppelin)
Lech was the first Polish zeppelin. It was purchased from France's army surplus in 1920 and its original, French name was Commandant Coutelle. The zeppelin's type was Zodiac VZ-11, Vedette class and the French Navy had used it for patrolling and escorting purposes in the area of the Mediterranean....
and participated in its assembly as well as first flights. In the summer of 1922, he made the first balloon flight. Next year, he was promoted to Lieutenant.
In 1924 Burzyński received training at the balloon factory in the French town of Chalais-Meudon. After returning, he opened a shop in Legionowo
Legionowo
Legionowo is a town in Masovia . According to the 2004 Census estimate the town has a total population of 50,759.Legionowo is located ca. 23 km to the north-east of the center of Warsaw and only 7 km to the south of Zegrze Reservoir , near the Warsaw-Gdańsk railroad and Warsaw-Suwałki...
, which produced fabrics for balloon bags. Under his command, first Polish balloons were made. He remained in Legionowo until 1937, being commandant of company of observatory balloons in the 2nd Balloon Battalion of the Polish Army. Also, in 1934 he was promoted to Captain. Furthermore, between 1937 and 1939 he completed the technical course for aviation officers in Warsaw, creating a prototype of the first Polish barrage balloon
Barrage balloon
A barrage balloon is a large balloon tethered with metal cables, used to defend against low-level aircraft attack by damaging the aircraft on collision with the cables, or at least making the attacker's approach more difficult. Some versions carried small explosive charges that would be pulled up...
.
Burzyński also actively participated in ballooning tournaments. His first competition took place in September 1928, during the National Tournament of Balloons. Flying in Lwów, together with Franciszek Hynek, they finished first, crossing the distance of 380 km. Next year, flying in Wilno, he participated in international tournament in Poznań, but without success.
In 1932 Burzyński and Hynek were the first Polish crew to participate in the Gordon-Bennett Cup. Flying the Gdynia, they crossed 1075 kilometres from Basel
Basel
Basel or Basle In the national languages of Switzerland the city is also known as Bâle , Basilea and Basilea is Switzerland's third most populous city with about 166,000 inhabitants. Located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, Basel also has suburbs in France and Germany...
to Bielany
Bielany
Bielany is a district in Warsaw located in the north-western part of the city.Initially a part of Żoliborz, Bielany has been an independent district since 1994. Bielany borders Żoliborz to the south-east, and Bemowo to the south-west...
in 17 hours, with average speed of 63 km/h, which was the best speed of all 16 crews. On February 28, 1933 Burzyński and Hynek ascended in Toruń to the altitude of 9762 m, beating the record of Poland.
In the 1933 Gordon-Bennett Cup, which took place in USA, Burzyński and Hynek won the competition, flying in Kosciuszko the distance of 1361 km from Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
to Aulmes in Canada in 39 hours and 39 minutes. Next year, in the Gordon-Bennett Cup in Poland, the Polish crew was second in Warszawa II. However, in September 1935, during another Gordon-Bennett Cup, Burzyński and W. Wysocki won, crossing in Polonia II 1650 kilometers from Warsaw to the town of Tishkino near Stalingrad in 57 hours and 54 minutes. During that flight, they also beat world records in length and time frame.
In the fall of 1938 Burzyński was planned to fly in the Gwiazda Polski
Gwiazda Polski
Gwiazda Polski was a balloon, which, according to the Polish planners, was going to reach the stratosphere, thus beating the 1930s high-altitude world record, established on November 11, 1935 by Albert William Stevens and Orvil Arson Anderson, in the Explorer II balloon...
, but the takeoff did not take place due to fire.
During the Polish September Campaign, Burzyński was caught by the Germans and kept in a POW camp from October 6, 1939 until April 1, 1945. In November of that year, he returned to Poland. In 1955 he graduated from the Warsaw Polytechnic, earning a diploma of engineer of mechanics. Also, he initiated recreation of ballooning in Poland as well as Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
. He authored two books: Kosciuszko nad Ameryka (1934) and Balonem przez kontynenty (1956).
Source
- Jerzy R. Konieczny, Tadeusz Malinowski: "Mala encyklopedia lotnikow polskich", Warszawa 1983, ISBN 83-206-0337-4.