The SZD-10 bis Czapla 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.
SZD-10 Czapla is a Polish two-seat training glider designed in 1953 by a team of engineers at the Experimental Glider Workshop (SZD) in Bielsko-Biała, comprising Roman Zatwarnicki, Irena Kaniewska and Marian Gracz. This glider was developed in response to the need to replace single-seat training gliders with two-seat ones, aimed at improving the efficiency of pilot training.
The Czapla features a wooden construction of the “high-wing braced monoplane” type, with seats for a student and instructor in tandem arrangement. The glider can be launched using bungee cords, a winch or by aerotow, making it versatile in various training conditions.
The SZD-10 Czapla prototype made its maiden flight on 23 November 1953. After the necessary structural modifications were introduced, serial production continued from 1955 to 1958. A total of 157 examples of this glider were built. The Czapla was used not only in Poland but was also exported to Finland and Turkey.
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.
