The first Polish Championships in Electric Simply Aircombat (ESA) took place on Saturday, 7 May, in Warta Bolesławiecka.

The competition aimed to recall the aerial battles fought during the First and Second World Wars in a form of sports competition that was exciting for the participants, as well as to provide a friendly gathering for pilots of historical models.

Zawodnicy i sędziowie
Zawodnicy i sędziowie • Photo author: Krzysztof Gwizdała
Zawodnicy i sędziowie
Zawodnicy i sędziowie • Photo author: Krzysztof Gwizdała

Competitors from all over Poland came to the championships, including from Warsaw, Kraków, Radom, Opole, Jelenia Góra and Wrocław. Our county was also represented by a strong group of aerial-combat enthusiasts.

The competition was held in two events. Eighteen competitors took part in the ESA WWI category, while as many as 35 pilots competed in ESA WWII.

ESA WWI category

  • Polish ESA WWI champion – Daniel Skiba from Iwiny (Młode Wilki squad)
  • Polish ESA WWI vice-champion – Rafał Mijal from Kraków (Kraków squad)
  • second Polish ESA WWI vice-champion – Karol Wdowikowski from Wrocław (Black Eagles squad)

ESA WWII category

  • Polish ESA WWII champion – Rafał Mijal from Kraków (Kraków squad)
  • Polish ESA WWII vice-champion – Rafał Wiaderek from Jelenia Góra
  • second Polish ESA WWII vice-champion – Michał Wdowikowski from Wrocław (Black Eagles squad)

During breaks between the battles, there were demonstrations of car models, aerobatic aircraft and helicopters. Participants received commemorative certificates and gifts. In addition to new model kits, the finalists won a flight in a real helicopter.

Gallery (12)

Audience at the airplane combat demonstration
1 / 12 Audience at the airplane combat demonstration · Photo author: Krzysztof Gwizdała
Competition judges
2 / 12 Competition judges · Photo author: Krzysztof Gwizdała
Competition judges
3 / 12 Competition judges · Photo author: Krzysztof Gwizdała
Show remaining photos (9)
Competitors and judges
4 / 12 Competitors and judges · Photo author: Krzysztof Gwizdała
Pilot retrieves his airplane from the combat area
5 / 12 Pilot retrieves his airplane from the combat area · Photo author: Krzysztof Gwizdała
Pilots and judges
6 / 12 Pilots and judges · Photo author: Krzysztof Gwizdała
Pilots and judges
7 / 12 Pilots and judges · Photo author: Krzysztof Gwizdała
Pilot with an airplane
8 / 12 Pilot with an airplane · Photo author: Krzysztof Gwizdała
Pilot with a judge
9 / 12 Pilot with a judge · Photo author: Krzysztof Gwizdała
Pilot with an airplane
10 / 12 Pilot with an airplane · Photo author: Krzysztof Gwizdała
Pilot with an airplane
11 / 12 Pilot with an airplane · Photo author: Krzysztof Gwizdała
Pilots start their airplanes before the battle
12 / 12 Pilots start their airplanes before the battle · Photo author: Krzysztof Gwizdała

(information: Daniel Skiba / KG)