The IS-1 Sęp glider, which will be on display at the new permanent exhibition “With the Wind and Against the Wind. Civil Aviation” underwent comprehensive conservation in 2023–2024 at the “Jeżów” Glider Workshop, including cleaning of all components, reconstruction of missing parts, re-covering and varnishing of the structure.
The IS-1 Sęp is the first Polish competition glider designed and built after World War II. Developed in 1947 by engineers Władysław Nowakowski and Józef Niespał from the Gliding Institute in Bielsko-Biała, it represented an important step in the reconstruction of Polish sport aviation.
The prototype glider, with registration marks SP-443, made its maiden flight on 2 June 1947, piloted by engineer Piotr Mynarski at the airfield in Bielsko-Biała. Following successful tests, a series of five examples designated IS-1 Sęp bis was produced in 1948, and these were used by the Aeroclub in Bielsko-Biała until 1962.
The Sęp featured a wooden construction, a wingspan of 17.5 metres and a maximum glide ratio of 27 at a speed of 72 km/h. Its performance and modern design contributed to the development of Polish gliding in the post-war period.
The project was made possible thanks to funding from the Minister of Culture and National Heritage programme “Supporting Museum Activities” as part of the task “Restoration of unique gliders of the Polish Aviation Museum — Stage II: IS-1 Sęp, IS-C Żuraw and SZD-10 Czapla”.
Abbreviated photographic documentation of the restoration:
The project was funded by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage from the Culture Promotion Fund — a state special-purpose fund.
