We are pleased to announce that another publication in the Acta Aeronautica Profile series has been released — a monograph dedicated to the family of Polish competition gliders SZD-8 / SZD-14 / SZD-17X Jaskółka. The publication presents the history of some of the most important designs in Polish sport aviation of the 1950s.
The book comprehensively describes the history of the Jaskółka glider and the profile of its designer — Tadeusz Adam Kostia. The publication guides the reader through successive stages of the design’s development — from the prototype, through the first serial examples, to later modifications and new versions of the model. One can also read about the export of Jaskółkas to various countries both in Europe and around the world, records achieved with them, and designs based on the SZD-8.
The monograph also describes the SZD-17X Jaskółka L example held in the collection of the Polish Aviation Museum. Its operational history is presented, the circumstances under which it came to the Museum, as well as the scope of conservation work carried out in preparation for display. The Jaskółka L can currently be seen at the new permanent exhibition “With the Wind and Against the Wind — Civil Aviation”, opened in August 2025. It is the only surviving example of this advanced version of the Jaskółka, being the culmination of several years of experience by designers at the Experimental Glider Workshop in Bielsko-Biała, making it an important testament to the development of Polish gliding.
The whole is complemented by numerous archival photographs, illustrations, excerpts from technical manuals and clippings from aviation press, which help to better understand the realities of the era and the significance of these designs.
The monograph “Jaskółka Glider” is available at:
The Acta Aeronautica Profile series also includes monographs dedicated to other important designs in Polish aviation, such as:
All publications are available at the Polish Aviation Museum shop — both online and on-site.
