SZD-9 Bocian

SZD-9 Bocian
SZD-9 Bocian
Role	Two Seater Class sailplane
National origin	Poland
Manufacturer	SZD
Designer	Marian Wasilewski Roman Zatwarnicki Justyn Sandauer
First flight	10 March 1952
Introduction	1953
Status	in service
Primary user	Polish Aero Club
Number built	616
|} The SZD-9 Bocian (Polish: "Stork") is a multi-purpose two-seat sailplane that was designed and built in Poland at Szybowcowy Zakład Doświadczalny (Glider Experimental Works) in Bielsko-Biała, beginning in 1952. It was designed to be capable of fulfilling the needs of every area from training to competition flying. History Main designer was Marian Wasilewski, with Roman Zatwarnicki and Justyn Sandauer. The prototype SZD-9 flew for the first time on 10 March 1952, piloted by Adam Zientek. After flight testing was completed, suggested changes were incorporated into the design and production began, as SZD-9bis Bocian-1A (or simply "Bocian A"). The first production unit flew for the first time on 13 March 1953, and 11 units were built. Apart from use in Poland, the type was exported to 27 countries, including Austria, Australia, Belgium, China, France, Greece, India, Norway, former East Germany and West Germany, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Venezuela, United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union.[1] Polish pilots set many international records flying SZD-9s.[1] Variants SZD-9 Bocian - two prototypes SZD-9bis Bocian-1A - the first variant, 11 built SZD-9bis Bocian-1B - improved variant (e.g. bigger tailfin), 11 built SZD-9bis Bocian-1C - improved variant of 1954 (wings swept at lesser angle, modified control surfaces and rear skid), 40 built SZD-9bis Bocian-Z - modified competition variant for 1956 World Gliding Competition, 3 built (2 rebuilt of Bocian C) SZD-9bis Bocian-1D - improved variant of 1958 (bigger wheel and minor modifications), 186 built SZD-9bis Bocian-1E - modified trainer variant of 1967 (straight wing tips, two-part canopy instead of three-part, landing gear with shock absorbers), 366 built SZD-33 Bocian 3 - intended to replace SZD-9's and SZD-10's but discontinued in favour of the SZD-9bis Bocian-1E. Specifications An SZD-9 Bocian of Aeroklub Opolski General characteristics Crew: 1 pilot Capacity: 1 passenger Length: 8.20 m (26 ft 11 in) Wingspan: 17.80 m (58 ft 5 in) Height: 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) Wing area: 20.0 m^2 (215 ft^2) Aspect ratio: 15.8 Empty weight: 345 kg (761 lb) Gross weight: 540 kg (1,191 lb) Performance Maximum speed: 200 km/h (124 mph) Maximum glide ratio: 26 Rate of sink: 0.82 m/s (161 ft/min) See also Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era LET L-13 Blaník Schleicher ASK 13 Related lists List of gliders References (Polish) Babiejczuk, Janusz and Grzegorzewski, Jerzy. Polski przemysł lotniczy 1945-1973 (Polish aerospace industry 1945-197). Warsaw: Wydawnictwo MON, 1974, p. 120-121 Hardy, Michael (1982). Gliders and Sailplanes of the World. Shepperton: Ian Allen. pp. 125–26. Coates, Andrew (1978). Jane's World Sailplanes and Motor Gliders. London: MacDonald and Jane's. p. 115.