Warsaw Uprising Memorial Gets a Digital Tribute with 3D Scanning
In a unique blend of history and technology, Polish 3D printing innovators MonkeyFab have created a detailed 3D scan of Warsaw’s iconic Mały Powstaniec (Little Resistance Fighter) statue. This touching monument commemorates the heroic but tragic Warsaw Uprising of 1944, which marks its 70th anniversary this year.
The Story Behind the Scan
The Mały Powstaniec statue, designed by Jerzy Jarnuszkiewicz in 1946 and unveiled in 1983, depicts a child soldier named Antek wearing oversized German military gear. It stands as a powerful symbol of the uprising’s young participants.
MonkeyFab founders Piotr and Paweł Twardo executed their scanning mission with almost military precision:
- Used a portable DLP-based 3D scanner powered by a generator
- Captured comprehensive images from all angles in one afternoon
- Completed the scan discreetly to avoid drawing attention
Preserving History Through Technology
The brothers’ goal was ambitious yet simple: to make this important cultural symbol accessible worldwide through 3D printing. They used their self-developed Prime3D printer (a RepRap-based system) to create the initial models.
Key production details:
- Most components manufactured locally in Warsaw
- Critical parts CNC-machined in their basement workshop
- Only motors and PCBs sourced externally
A Symbol of National Memory
“This statue represents the collective memory of our nation,” explained Piotr Twardo. “For generations of Polish children visiting grandparents, it’s embodied the solemn stories of the uprising’s sacrifices.”
MonkeyFab plans to release the finalized 3D model publicly after resolving some surface detail issues. This digital preservation effort ensures the Mały Powstaniec can continue inspiring future generations while honoring the 70th anniversary of the 1944 uprising that shaped modern Poland.
The scanned Mały Powstaniec statue, a symbol of Warsaw’s resistance
