In the second half of the 1950s, the Aero Club of the People’s Republic of Poland needed a new training aircraft. However, the decision was not made to adopt the two-seat, all-metal low-wing monoplane with fixed undercarriage PZL M-2.
The new aircraft was developed in 1958 by a design team led by engineer Tadeusz Stepczyk at WSK Mielec. The preliminary airframe design was ready that same year.
It was a two-seat training aircraft of entirely metal construction, in a cantilever low-wing configuration. The prototype, first flown in September 1961 by test pilot Tadeusz Golebiewski, was subsequently presented at the Aviation Industry Exhibition in Warsaw. The long period from design to maiden flight was caused by waiting for the WN-6B engine, which was still in the testing phase at the time.
In 1962, the aircraft underwent factory trials, which proved that the machine did not meet the technical specifications – mainly due to exceeding the weight limit. As a result, further preparations for serial production were abandoned. The factory documentation was sent back to Mielec for corrections.
In 1964, another prototype was built, which was first flown in 1966. Technological and economic problems, namely excessive empty weight, an underdeveloped engine, and high production costs, caused the Aero Club to withdraw from the order. This resulted in halting preparations for serial production. The PZL M-4 Tarpan remained only at the prototype stage. After reducing the weight, this aircraft was considered as Poland’s representative at the 1966 World Championships. After technical modifications, 2 aircraft were test-flown by national team pilots. However, the aviation industry authorities’ refusal did not allow this design to compete.
The exhibited airframe with serial number I/3, registration SP-PAK, was donated to the Museum by the Mielec Aero Club in 1971.
| Wingspan | 8.9 m |
| Length | 7.4 m |
| Takeoff weight | 1200 kg |
| Maximum speed | 300 km/h |
| Ceiling | 4400 m |
| Range | 750 km |
| Armament | – |
| Engine | inline flat (“boxer”) WN-6B2, 185 hp (136 kW) |
