SZD-7 Osa

SZD-7 Osa
Role	Glider aircraft
National origin	Poland
Manufacturer	SZD
First flight	16 August 1950
Number built	1
Developed from	IS-2 Mucha
|} The SZD-7 Osa was a single-seat developmental glider aircraft that was designed and built in Poland at Szybowcowy Zakład Doświadczalny (Glider Experimental Works) in Bielsko-Biała in 1950. Only one example was built. Development The SZD-7 or IS-7[1] Osa (Wasp) was based on the IS-2 Mucha, with a laminar flow aerofoil section developed by Tadeusz Kostia. Little information on laminar flow aerofoils was available but Kostia was able to design the aerofoil for the SZD-7 Osa to achieve laminar flow to at least 18% chord. As well as the laminar flow wings, the Osa introduced the SZD plate-style airbrakes, which were installed aft of the mainspar. The first flight of the Osa took place at Bielsko airfield piloted by Adam Zientek on 16 August 1950.[1] The prototype was registered as SP-1047.[2] Specifications (SZD-7 Osa) Data from http://www.piotrp.de/SZYBOWCE/pszd7.htm General characteristics Crew: 1 Length: 6.8 m (22 ft 4 in) Wingspan: 15 m (49 ft 3 in) Height: 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in) Wing area: 14.1 m^2 (152 ft^2) Aspect ratio: 16 Wing profile: Kosti laminar flow Empty weight: 237 kg (522 lb) Gross weight: 327 kg (721 lb) Performance Maximum speed: 250 km/h (155 mph) Stall speed: 56 km/h (35 mph) G limits: +4.5 / -3 Maximum glide ratio: 26.1 @ 81 km/h (50 mph/44 kts) Rate of sink: 0.8 m/s (157 ft/min) See also Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era IS-2 Mucha References (Polish) Babiejczuk, Janusz and Grzegorzewski, Jerzy. Polski przemysł lotniczy 1945-1973 (Polish aerospace industry 1945-197). Warsaw: Wydawnictwo MON, 1974, p. 118 SZD-7 (IS-7) Osa Taylor, J. H. (ed) (1989) Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. Studio Editions: London. p. 29 External links SZD-7 (IS-7) Osa on piotrp.de