SZD-40x Halny
SZD · Poland · first flew 1972 · glider
The SZD-40x Halny is an experimental two-seat glider designed and built in Poland.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Fibreglass forward fuselage, steel tube centre section and rolled aluminium tube rear boom |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Experimental two-seat tandem glider with a 20 m span
- Shoulder-mounted forward-swept wing with T-tail
- Fibreglass forward fuselage, steel tube centre section and rolled aluminium tube rear boom
A long-winged two-seat glider with a T-tail. Only the rear cockpit has controls and instruments, so the front seat can only be used by a passenger.
Specifications
- The SZD-40x Halny has a length of 8.75 m (29 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 20 m (66 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 240 km/h (149 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
SZD modified the SZD-37x Jantar fuselage to take two seats in tandem and fitted wings developed from the Zefir 4, extended to 20 m span. Its first flight, in December 1972, was flown by Zdzislaw Bylok.
Variants
Only one was built, the SP-2645. It was certified as an experimental aircraft and intended as a test platform for new design concepts.
Where you'll see it
It was used regularly into the 1990s before retiring to the Gliwice Gliding Club Museum, and was used for record attempts. Many were successful, though pilots disliked its very demanding handling.
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- Akaflieg Darmstadt D-38
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