In 1950-1951, at the Glider Research Centre in Bielsko, a team led by Eng. Tadeusz Kostia developed the SZD-8 Jaskolka competition glider, whose prototype was first flown on 21 September 1951. It was a very successful design, and many international records were set on these gliders.
The SZD-17X Jaskolka L is a further stage of development of the Jaskolka glider, essentially an entirely new design. It is a high-performance competition glider of wooden construction, developed by engineers Tadeusz Kostia and Jan Dyrek, intended for flights in strong thermal conditions, featuring wings with a laminar profile, a V-tail, and water ballast equipped with radio, oxygen and lightning protection systems.
It was developed specifically for the World Gliding Championships in St. Yan, France in 1956. The prototype was first flown on 9 March 1956. Four examples were produced, but they did not take part in the championships, as there were concerns about losing in the event of weak thermals. They were used in Poland for competition and cross-country flying.
The exhibited example, serial number 174, SP-1506, was operated from 1956 to 1977. On 9 May 1956, Tadeusz Gora set a speed record on a goal flight in this glider. It was donated to the Museum’s collection by the Wroclaw Aero Club on 23 November 1977.
| Wingspan | 16.0 m |
| Length | 6.8 m |
| Wing area | 13.6 m2 |
| Empty weight | 340 kg |
| Takeoff weight (with water ballast) | 545 kg |
| Glide ratio | 30.5 at optimum speed of 98 km/h |
| Sink rate | min. 0.86 m/s at economy speed of 93 km/h |
| Minimum speed | 65 km/h |
| Max. dive speed | 250 km/h |
