Jan Zurakowski has died
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: due south
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jan Zurakowski has died
I hope this is the right forum to post the news that noted test pilot Jan Zurakowski has died at his home in Canada age 88.
He flew gliders at high school, joined the Polish Air Force in 1934,
shot down 3 enemy aircraft in the Battle of Britain, became a test pilot with Glosters and invented a new aerobatic manoeuvre, the Cartwheel, emigrated to Canada and test flew the CF100 and the mighty Arrow.
The world of aviation is poorer for his passing.
He flew gliders at high school, joined the Polish Air Force in 1934,
shot down 3 enemy aircraft in the Battle of Britain, became a test pilot with Glosters and invented a new aerobatic manoeuvre, the Cartwheel, emigrated to Canada and test flew the CF100 and the mighty Arrow.
The world of aviation is poorer for his passing.
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Bedfordshire
Age: 43
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sad news. I still can't respect these guys enough for what they did over Southern England all those years ago.
Not sure if I'm remembering correctly but didn't he write a book?
Not sure if I'm remembering correctly but didn't he write a book?
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Planet Earth
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2004 February 11
Jan Zurakowski, Avro Arrow pilot
Janusz Zurakowski, 89
Jan Zurakowski, first test pilot of Avro Arrow aircraft, dies at age 89
For those on the other side of the pond that do not know what the magnificent AVRO ARROW was (if there is somebody that do not know) I am posting a link to a page full of Avro Arrow links.
CF 105 - AVRO ARROW
Jan Zurakowski, Avro Arrow pilot
Janusz Zurakowski, 89
Jan Zurakowski, first test pilot of Avro Arrow aircraft, dies at age 89
For those on the other side of the pond that do not know what the magnificent AVRO ARROW was (if there is somebody that do not know) I am posting a link to a page full of Avro Arrow links.
CF 105 - AVRO ARROW
Do a Hover - it avoids G
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Chichester West Sussex UK
Age: 91
Posts: 2,206
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jan was of a similar age and in the mould of John Cunningham and Roland Beamont and others who plied their trade in days when it was all a lot harder as designers knew so much less.
I hope they have met up again.
I hope they have met up again.
MGP
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Leamington Spa
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jan Zurakowski
I was lucky enough to be an apprentice at Glosters in their heyday, when so many well-known pilots were test pilots with the firm. I think I am right in belieiving that Zura only did his cartwheel in the GA Meteor as he needed the mass weight of the rockets it the wing-tips.
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Back in the UK from the Sunshine Island for the last 8 years.
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As a mere fishead i am not sure that I am entitled to reply to this but it is my understanding that JZ's mount was beefed up somewhat, like a railway line fore and aft and another athwartships (wingtip to wingtip for any c*a*s who aren't familiar with the terminology) as a result of which a number of "wizard prang, what ho! let's go and do it ! " light blues blasted off into the wide blue yonder, applied full go on one, idle on t'other , a bootfull of rudder and wondered why it fell apart. Right or wrong?
