The Mi-8 helicopter used by His Holiness John Paul II during his pilgrimage to Poland in 1979 has been put on display in the Polish Aviation Museum at Krakow. Carrying military serial 620, the Mi-8 is shown in the colours of the VIP flight – 36 Specjalny Pułk Lotnictwa Transportowego, or 36th Special Regiment of Aviation Transport in English.

Pope John Paul II was notable as the first non-Italian Pope for over 455 years, and the first Pope from Poland. The addition of this helicopter to the collection not only continues the recording of the 1979 visit but also matches up with the street address of the museum – which was renamed to “al. John Paul II” in memory of his papacy of over 26 years.

See also http://www.muzeumlotnictwa.pl

Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com

Above  – On the papal tour

Below – As it is today