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At 14:00 on Sunday 10 September, Krzysztof and I landed at Konstancin. North American T-6 Harvard 4M G-RAIX has joined the rest of my aircraft — in other words, it's mine and it's at Konstancin. It stands next to Marcin's Harvard IIB G-BBHK, in which I've also clocked 10 hours this year.

An advanced training aircraft used by the Polish Air Force (in earlier variants, but with negligible differences) — now within reach. I'm somewhat terrified — it is a different scale, a different league. This is also, for the first time, "American territory". In Europe we have something like a second division of warbids; in Poland, currently third division — but there is "significant progress". The USA is first division — obvious. Tiger Moth or Chipmunk — they're barely known over there. The T-6 is the foundation and a sacred symbol — US Air Force, US Navy, Marines, Reno races — it is the beginning of a serious conversation in that country.

I managed to fly in the front cockpit of a DH60 Moth from 1929. The aircraft belongs to Malcolm Paul and was rebuilt from available old parts — but mainly constructed new from plans. The structure is mainly wooden — no surprise. The entire fuselage, unlike the Tiger Moth, is wood.

The engine block is from the 1920s (yes!), though some components had to be adapted from the Gipsy Major. Upright cylinders, no valve covers, manual lubrication of the valve control mechanism before flight. Folding wings — a wonderful thing!

In the cockpit: a large clock, an airspeed indicator inscribed "Imperial Airways", a fully rotatable altimeter, a large mechanical RPM counter, a compass. Oil pressure — the only modern instrument. There are no instruments in the front cockpit — well, there is an airspeed indicator on the wing. Beautiful, large, largely ceramic. The magneto switches between the cockpits.

Malcolm in the rear cockpit, Krzysztof in the front, I swung the propeller — learning a different procedure along the way. First Krzysztof flew with Malcolm, then we swapped and I had about 20 minutes in the air.

I rarely go to the cinema. In the middle of the season, in good weather — it simply doesn't happen. But rules have exceptions. The film: Dunkirk. Recommended, though the absurdity and cruelty of war is not a pleasant subject. It allows us — living in broadly peaceful times — to experience a kind of catharsis, reflecting on the fate of the individual during war.

The only thing is, I can't watch such a film as a film. The flying scenes: I see the how, the who, the method. In that way, the screening becomes more of a "making of" for me than an experience with the film itself. And in between I find myself wondering why, in Poland, you can't have a "Spitfire" — a Yak-52 — and shoot proper AIR-TO-AIR FOOTAGE.

A certain Polish film producer insists that aerial battles are now done exclusively "by computer". As is evidently not the case. You can do it properly. The aircraft that play fairly central roles are worth seeing. The magnificent Spitfire Mk Is — rebuilt in the UK, mainly by ARCo — and John Romain's "Buchon". The location is familiar too: Royal Navy Lhe on Solent, known as "HMS Daedalus".

The busy season in my day job, difficult weather, holidays — so-called challenges. We managed on Saturday, but on Sunday only Krzysztof and the Auster remained for the display. The crosswind was too strong for the Tiger Moth.

The good thing is that, for some time now, I've simply taken great pleasure in watching others fly. The satisfaction that others enjoy it, that others succeed, that things will get even more interesting.

And indeed — more interesting, probably harder and more tiring. Trips to the UK await — two have already happened, perhaps four more must take place. Czech Republic as well. In July and August there will be less time for events in Poland, but investment in development is necessary.

An interesting airshow — symbolising our cavalier bravado. 250 km/h in a 2.5-tonne Harvard at rooftop height. The Harvard really is a magnificent machine — and well-suited to Polish airshow conditions.

The historic formation also looked rather good. Ten years of work, many, many sleepless nights, practically everything I have — but there is satisfaction.