SZD-32 Foka 5
Szybowcowy Zakład Doświadczalny (SZD) · Poland · first flew 1966 · glider
The SZD-32 Foka 5 was the definitive version of Poland's Foka (Seal) series of Standard Class gliders, competitive at World Championships in the late 1960s.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.7 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Standard Class competition glider with T-tail
- aft-swept wing tips
- clean all-white fibreglass construction
The T-tail is the primary distinguishing feature among 1960s Polish gliders. The Foka 5's 15-metre wing with tapered tips and smooth fibreglass finish is characteristic; it lacks the winglets common on later designs.
Specifications
- The SZD-32 Foka 5 has a length of 6.7 m (22 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 15 m (49 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 220 km/h (137 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Foka series was developed by SZD in the early 1960s as Poland's entry into the FAI Standard Class — a 15-metre span category without flaps. The Foka 4 and 5 refined the original design with fibreglass construction, a T-tail, and improved aerodynamics. The Foka 5 achieved notable results at the 1966 World Gliding Championships.
Variants
The series ran from Foka 1 through Foka 5, each refining the structure and aerodynamics. The Foka 4 introduced the T-tail; the Foka 5 was the final optimised Standard Class version.
Where you'll see it
Flown by Polish and other Eastern European competition pilots through the late 1960s and 1970s. Examples remain airworthy today in private collections.
Related aircraft
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