The legendary “MiG Alley” lineup of Soviet era Polish Air Force combat aircraft within the grounds of the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow has been on my aviaton bucket list for some time now. I am glad to say I checked it off that list yesterday and I was one happy traveller!
While there are also Sukhoi aircraft along “MiG Alley“, in the form of Su-7, Su-20 and Su-22 Fitter variants (single seat attack aircraft and two seat combat trainers), the most prominent aircraft down one path is the Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21 Fishbed (with a MiG-29 two seat combat trainer and a MiG-23 Flogger interceptor there too). The MiG-21’s represent all the variants of fighters, trainers and reconnaissance Fishbed’s operated by Poland whilst part of the Warsaw Pact and beyond.
Along the other path are various MiG-15 and MiG-17 fighter-bombers, interceptors and two seat trainers (with a MiG-19 too) produced by Mikoyan-Gurevich in the Soviet Union and PZL Mielec in Poland (Lim-1, 2, 5 & 6). There are some great camo schemes and livery amongst them!
The collection at the museum is large with around 200 aircraft and helicopters of Soviet, Polish and western origin, including rare types from World War One and earlier, the interwar years, World War Two and the Cold War. They are displayed indoors and outside on this former airbase and airport that dates back to 1912 but was closed and became a museum in 1964. This post is just a bit of a teaser and I am likely to have many future posts on the treasures within this collection!
Aces Flying High 
Amazing, never seen so many Migs together, look forward to further posts on this collection.
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The MiG’s are a highlight for sure!
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That’s an amazing Collection. I e heard of this place, it really is a Mig lovers dream come true! I look forward to more.
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Worth a visit for sure – have a lot of rare German aircraft too that were relocated in 1943 to avoid Allied bombing and never returned!
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I’ll add it to the very long list!
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I here you!
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Seriously impressive collection of MiGs! Looking forward to the next posts on it. There’s a MiG-21 here in New Zealand – some guy bought it surplus with long-term plan to make it flyable – maybe he should head to Krakow to scavenge some parts! 🙂
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I saw an active Romanian Air Force MiG-21 LanceR fly on the weekend. Quite a treat to see – upgraded in Israel with modern avionics and weapons systems. That will be cool if the Kiwi one can get going. Should be plenty of spares about as it was one of the most produced fighters in the Cold War. A group in Western Australia are restoring one to flight and there is another in Oz but I haven’t seen it about in years.
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Thanks. I will take a more detailed look – quick glimpse looks good
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