On the morning of March 5, 1953, Lietenant Franciszek Jarecki lead a flight of four Polish Air Force MiG-15s from his base at Stolop (Code Name Listopad) on a routine patrol along the Baltic coast. As the patrol passed over the town of Kolberg, Jerecki dropped his extra fuel tanks to lighten his aircraft and broke away from the formation. He dove his aircraft from 18,000 feet to below 1,500 feet to prevent the Soviet Air defense radar from tracking his escape route. The Soviets had anticipated the possiblity of pilots defecting with their aircraft and established ready alert interceptors code named "Operation Krest." A flight of four "Krest" MiG-15 flown by Soviet pilots attempted to intercept the escaping Jarecki. Jarecki flew his aircraft north to Bornholm where he believed a large American airbase was located. To his dismay he found only a short temporary airstrip located on the Danish island. Jarecki considered continuing his flight to Copenhagen but his fuel supply was running low. This was the flight suit worn by Jarecki on the day that he made his escape.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
ca. 1953
Poland
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT-Flight Clothing
Polish Air Force black leather flight jacket; two lower slash pockets; five hidden black plastic buttons down front (two missing); button closure at waist with attached belt with two button holes; ring buckle on left and right waist; button closure on each cuff with tab; gray wool flannel lining; drop fall collar and lapels; pleats at lower back.
Measured on Mannequin: arm width (L) 27 in. x (W) 12 in. x (H) 24 in.
Overall: Leather
Lining: Wool
Buttons: Plastic
A20020240000
Donated by Frank Jarecki
National Air and Space Museum
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