The SZD-15 Sroka (Magpie) was designed as a replacement for the IS-B Komar in the single-seat trainer role, at the request of the LPŻ (Soldier's Friends League) from 1955. Of typical wooden construction with plywood or fabric covering, the SZD-15 Sroka was typical of many contemporary club training gliders throughout Europe. The main designer on the project was Z. Badura.[1]
The first prototype, named 'Pionier' (registration SP-1598) was flown on 25 February 1956 by Stanisław Skrzydlewski at Bielsko, leading to modifications to improve the room in the cockpit, re-position the winch launch hook to increase directional stability during winch launching, and to increase the strength of the forward fuselage. Further improvements were made to the second prototype, SZD-15-2 Sroka (registration SP-1667), which flew on 1 February 1957.[1] Production aircraft were designated SZD-15A, and 20 were built in ZSLS in Krosno, in addition to the two prototypes.
The flying characteristics of the SZD-15A were a marked improvement on those of the IS-B Komar, including better climb performance in weak thermals. The solo training regime employed by Polish Aero Clubs up to the late 1950s was eventually proven to be inefficient, thus the 'raison d'etre' of the SZD-15 Sroka was removed, and the remaining SZD-15s were used as club single seaters until superseded by higher performance club aircraft in the mid-1970s. Two, including the first prototype, are preserved in the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków.[2]
Variants
SZD-15 Pioneer - the first prototype, registration SP-1598.
SZD-15-2 Sroka - the second prototype with modifications.
^ abBabiejczuk, Janusz and Grzegorzewski, Jerzy. Polski przemysł lotniczy 1945-1973 [Polish aerospace industry 1945-1973]. Warsaw: Wydawnictwo MON, 1974, p. 123
^(in Polish) Krzyżan, Marian, Samoloty w muzeach polskich [Aircraft in the Polish museums], Warsaw: Wydawnictwa Komunikacji i Łączności, 1983, ISBN978-83-206-0432-0, p. 139
Taylor, J. H. (ed) (1989) Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. Studio Editions: London. p. 29
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to SZD-15 Sroka.
sroka, szybowcowy, zakład, doświadczalny, glider, experimental, works, single, seat, glider, designed, built, poland, 1956, sroka, polish, aviation, museumrole, glider, aircraftnational, origin, polandmanufacturer, zsls, krosnodesigner, zbigniew, badurafirst, . The SZD 15 Sroka Szybowcowy Zaklad Doswiadczalny Glider Experimental Works was a single seat glider designed and built in Poland in 1956 SZD 15 SrokaSZD 15A Sroka in the Polish Aviation MuseumRole Glider aircraftNational origin PolandManufacturer ZSLS Nr 5 KrosnoDesigner Zbigniew BaduraFirst flight 25 February 1956Retired 1970sPrimary user Polish Aero ClubNumber built 22Developed from IS B Komar Contents 1 Development 2 Variants 3 Specifications SZD 15 Sroka 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksDevelopment EditThe SZD 15 Sroka Magpie was designed as a replacement for the IS B Komar in the single seat trainer role at the request of the LPZ Soldier s Friends League from 1955 Of typical wooden construction with plywood or fabric covering the SZD 15 Sroka was typical of many contemporary club training gliders throughout Europe The main designer on the project was Z Badura 1 The first prototype named Pionier registration SP 1598 was flown on 25 February 1956 by Stanislaw Skrzydlewski at Bielsko leading to modifications to improve the room in the cockpit re position the winch launch hook to increase directional stability during winch launching and to increase the strength of the forward fuselage Further improvements were made to the second prototype SZD 15 2 Sroka registration SP 1667 which flew on 1 February 1957 1 Production aircraft were designated SZD 15A and 20 were built in ZSLS in Krosno in addition to the two prototypes The flying characteristics of the SZD 15A were a marked improvement on those of the IS B Komar including better climb performance in weak thermals The solo training regime employed by Polish Aero Clubs up to the late 1950s was eventually proven to be inefficient thus the raison d etre of the SZD 15 Sroka was removed and the remaining SZD 15s were used as club single seaters until superseded by higher performance club aircraft in the mid 1970s Two including the first prototype are preserved in the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow 2 Variants EditSZD 15 Pioneer the first prototype registration SP 1598 SZD 15 2 Sroka the second prototype with modifications SZD 15A Sroka production aircraft 20 built Specifications SZD 15 Sroka EditData from http www piotrp de SZYBOWCE pszd15 htmGeneral characteristicsCrew 1 Length 6 9 m 22 ft 8 in Wingspan 14 5 m 47 ft 7 in Height 1 5 m 4 ft 11 in Wing area 14 5 m2 156 sq ft Aspect ratio 14 5 Airfoil NACA 43012A Empty weight 170 kg 375 lb Gross weight 270 kg 595 lb Performance Maximum speed 200 km h 120 mph 110 kn Stall speed 49 km h 30 mph 26 kn Maximum glide ratio 19 at 64 km h 35 kts 40 mph Rate of sink 0 88 m s 173 ft min at 58 km h 31 kts 36 mph See also EditAircraft of comparable role configuration and era Slingsby T 30 PrefectReferences Edit a b Babiejczuk Janusz and Grzegorzewski Jerzy Polski przemysl lotniczy 1945 1973 Polish aerospace industry 1945 1973 Warsaw Wydawnictwo MON 1974 p 123 in Polish Krzyzan Marian Samoloty w muzeach polskich Aircraft in the Polish museums Warsaw Wydawnictwa Komunikacji i Lacznosci 1983 ISBN 978 83 206 0432 0 p 139 Taylor J H ed 1989 Jane s Encyclopedia of Aviation Studio Editions London p 29External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to SZD 15 Sroka http www piotrp de SZYBOWCE pszd15 htm Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title SZD 15 Sroka amp oldid 1087918733, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
