SZD-18 Czajka

SZD-18 Czajka
SZD-18 Czajka at the Polish Aviation Museum
Role Glider
National origin Poland
Manufacturer SZD
First flight 30 November 1956[1]
Retired 1966
Status in museum
Number built 1


The SZD-18 Czajka (Szybowcowy Zakład Doświadczalny - Glider Experimental Works) (Czajka in English: Lapwing) was a single-seat glider designed and built in Poland in 1956.

Development

The last attempt by the LPŻ ( Liga Przyjaciół Żołnierza – Soldier's Friends League) paramilitary organization[2] to design a single-seat training glider, after SZD-15 and SZD-16 designs, was the SZD-18 Czajka (peewit), which appeared in 1956. It had a simple structure, box fuselage, strutted high wing and low performance typical for the primary type of training glider. The LPŻ held a competition in 1955 for the design of a new primary style single-seat trainer, which was won in March 1955 by the design by Tadeusz Grudzieński, named X-11.[3] The prototype glider was constructed in the SZD in Bielsko by Władysław Okarmus, and designated SZD-18. Flight trials began on 30 November 1956 (pilot Adam Zientek) proving, that the SZD-18 had good handling qualities and performance adequate for its intended role. It was regarded as one of the best gliders in its class[4] and the Polish best training glider.[3] However, the aero clubs, now independent of the LPŻ, rejected the single-seat training concept, moving towards the more conventional two-seat pupil/instructor method, which had been proven to be quicker, more efficient and safer. No production was carried out and the sole prototype (SP-1640) flew as a club glider with the Warsaw aero club until 1966, when it was given to the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków.[3]

Czajka at the Polish Aviation Museum

Specifications (SZD-18 Czajka with nacelle)

Data from Piotrp.de[2]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

  1. ↑ Katarzyna Jodzińska. "Polish Aviation Museum Cracow". Muzeumlotnictwa.pl. Retrieved 2012-04-15.
  2. 1 2 Piotr Piechowski (1956-11-30). "SZD-18 Czajka (PL)". Piotrp.de. Retrieved 2012-04-15.
  3. 1 2 3 Krzyżan, Marian, Samoloty w muzeach polskich [Aircraft in the Polish museums], Warsaw: Wydawnictwa Komunikacji i Łączności, 1983, ISBN 978-83-206-0432-0, p. 140
  4. ↑ (Polish) Babiejczuk, Janusz and Grzegorzewski, Jerzy. Polski przemysł lotniczy 1945-1973 (Polish aerospace industry 1945-197). Warsaw: Wydawnictwo MON, 1974, p. 123
Wikimedia Commons has media related to SZD-18 Czajka.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 6/24/2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.