SZD-10 Czapla
SZD · Poland · first flew 1953 · glider
The SZD-10 Czapla (Heron) was a Polish two-seat training glider produced from 1955, noted for its forward-swept strut-braced high wing and welded steel-tube fuselage.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Forward-swept strut-braced high wing, welded steel-tube fuselage with fabric |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Unpowered sailplane — no engine
- Forward-swept strut-braced high wing, welded steel-tube fuselage with fabric
- 157 built; two-seat tandem trainer glider for Polish clubs from 1955
The forward-swept high wing with external strut bracing is unusual in Polish postwar gliders and immediately distinguishes the Czapla from straight or swept-back wing designs.
Specifications
- The SZD-10 Czapla has a length of 8.7 m (29 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 16 m (52 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 160 km/h (99 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 (tandem).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by Zatwarnicki, Kaniewska and Gracz at the Szybowcowy Zakład Doświadczalny (SZD), the Czapla first flew in November 1953 and entered production in 1955. A total of 157 were built, making it one of the most numerous Polish gliders of the postwar decade.
Variants
No significant production variants; a single basic configuration throughout production.
Where you'll see it
The Czapla served Polish aero clubs through the late 1950s and 1960s as a standard two-seat training glider before being replaced by more modern types.
Related aircraft
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