SZD-6X Nietoperz
Szybowcowy Zakład Doświadczalny · Poland · first flew 1951 · glider
The SZD-6X Nietoperz (Bat) was a single-seat tailless experimental glider designed and built in Poland in 1951. It was built to research tailless aircraft and their control.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Wing mounted at mid height on a short fuselage pod |
| T — Tail | No tailplane |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Tailless cranked wing, swept forward on the inner portion and swept back outboard of about quarter-span
- Wing mounted at mid height on a short fuselage pod
- Trailing edge carrying three control surfaces per side, usable as elevons, ailerons or flaps
Look for a small tailless glider with a cranked wing and a short pod fuselage.
Specifications
- The SZD-6X Nietoperz has a length of 4.05 m (13 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12 m (39 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 300 km/h (186 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Władysław Nowakowski and Justyn Sandauer were the main designers at the Glider Experimental Works in Bielsko-Biała. It made its first hop on 5 January 1951, and its first real flight was on 2 February 1951, flown by Adam Zientek.
Variants
Only one was built, registered SP-1220. Its controls could be set up in several configurations to test pitch and roll control.
Where you'll see it
An early aerotow nearly ended in disaster when pilot-induced oscillations damaged it. Pilots agreed it was not suitable for production, and it is now displayed in a museum.
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