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 (lapwing), 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]
^ abPiechowski, Piotr. "SZD-18 Czajka". piotrp.de (in German). Retrieved 1 April 2020.
^ abcKrzyżan, Marian, Samoloty w muzeach polskich [Aircraft in the Polish museums], Warsaw: Wydawnictwa Komunikacji i Łączności, 1983, ISBN978-83-206-0432-0, p. 140
^(in Polish) Babiejczuk, Janusz and Grzegorzewski, Jerzy. Polski przemysł lotniczy 1945-1973 (Polish aerospace industry 1945-197). Warsaw: Wydawnictwo MON, 1974, p. 123
Further reading
Bridgman, Leonard, ed. (1958). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1958-59. London: Jane's All the World's Aircraft Publishing Co. Ltd. p. 213.
Taylor, J. H. (ed) (1989) Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. Studio Editions: London. p. 29
"Modelarz" No 4 / 60 (April 1960).
External links
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