July 17, 2008 at 5:23 pm
I have been searching the internet unsuccessfully for the following two books:
Wspomnienie Wojenne/Wartime Experiences
by Michal Cwynar (Warsaw, 2004)
Ku czci poległych lotników 1939-1945
revised 2006 (?) by ALTAIR Press
I have the original version of the second book, but would very much like to find the recently updated edition by R Gretzynger, W Matusiak and J Zelinski. It doesn’t appear anywhere on ALTAIR’s website.
Apparently Michal Cwynar was an honourary director of the Dumfries Museum, and his book was on sale there some time ago. I have emailed the museum several times with no response. I haven’t been able to find it in any shops in Poland either.
I would very much appreciate any help finding a shop or retailer where I could purchase copies of these books.
Cheers,
Richard
By: RZP303 - 16th September 2008 at 14:57
Thank you Grzegorz and Stan, I haven’t been on the forum for a while so I didn’t see your notes.
I haven’t yet found the books I was looking for…summer vacations got in the way! I am going to start looking for them again, and will try your suggestions.
Thanks,
Cheers,
Richard
By: Stan - 14th September 2008 at 13:19
Bit of a long shot but you could try contacting these:
http://www.aquilapolonica.com/
I had a couple of scarce books from them about 6 months ago- but their site hasn’t developed much since then.
By: Gregor - 13th September 2008 at 22:11
Hello Richard!
I don`t know if you managed to purchase the book “Ku czci poległych lotników 1939-1945” so far, but I can confirm that it is still available.
About a month ago I contacted ALTAIR, requested the book, paid for it and in next 2 weeks I already received it by post.
Regards,
Grzegorz
By: RZP303 - 18th July 2008 at 14:24
Thank you Wojtek,
I tried the Aviation Bookshop but the books are no longer listed. I sent them an email in the hope that maybe they might be able to help track them down. I’ll also contact ALTAIR to see if they know where I can get KU CZCI POLEGŁYCH LOTNIKÓW 1939 – 1945. I know Jadar Hobby in Warszawa had copies when it first came out, but no longer do.
Perhaps you might know of another project? I had heard that someone in Poland was working on a book about RAF Mustangs, or perhaps it was just Polish Mustangs. My father was an engine fitter with 316 and 303, and I have some photos from 303 during 1945-46 that might be interesting.
Thanks again, and I enjoy the books and research you do regarding the Polish Air Force.
Cheers,
Richard
By: VoyTech - 18th July 2008 at 13:34
I think both of the books used to be available at The Aviation Bookshop:
http://www.aviation-bookshop.com/
Perhaps you should ask them.
To my knowledge a new edition of Mr Cwynar’s memoirs was planned and hopefully this will be published in forseeable future.
By: RZP303 - 18th July 2008 at 03:47
Thank you Antoni, I will follow up on the M.Cwynar book with Mr. Lammin. Hopefully there are copies left.
As for the other book, I guess I was a bit confused about titles and authors, etc. The book I have is:
Ksiega Lotnikow Polskich Zmarlych i Zaginionych 1939-1946
(THE BOOK OF FALLEN AND MIA POLISH AIRMEN 1939-1946)
by O. Cumft, H.K. Kujawa
Wydawnictwo MON, Warszawa, 1989
What I would like to find copies of is:
“KU CZCI POLEGŁYCH LOTNIKÓW 1939 – 1945”
by Robert GRETZYNGIER, Wojtek MATUSIAK, Waldemar WÓJCIK and Józef ZIELIŃSKI
Publisher: Agencia Lotnicza ALTAIR, Warsawa 2006
ISBN: 83-86217-50-2
Number of pages: 610
Weight: 2,5 kilo
According to Tangmere1940 Wojtek Matusiak is a member of this forum, so hopefully he’ll see this note, or I can send him a message.
Thank you for everyone’s help so far.
Cheers,
Richard
By: antoni - 17th July 2008 at 22:59
I don’t think Michal Cwynar’s memoirs were ever on general sale in bookshops here or Poland. I got my copy by sending a cheque to:
Alan Lammin
2, Mainshead,
Terregles
Dumfries
DG2 9TJ
Nearly four years ago. I cannot recall the price.
If the other book is now titled Lotnictwo Polskie na Zachodzie 1939 – 1947 then I think it is exclusive to www.aviation-bookshop.com in this country.
By: RZP303 - 17th July 2008 at 21:46
Thank you, that’s wonderful! Sounds like a very logical place to start!
Cheers,
Richard
By: Arabella-Cox - 17th July 2008 at 17:37
One of the co-authors is a forum member : Voytek
If he does not see your post, send him a private message!