The SZD-10 bis Czapla glider, which can be admired at the new permanent exhibition “With the Wind and Against the Wind. Civil Aviation”, underwent comprehensive conservation in 2023-2024 at the “Jezow” Glider Works, including cleaning of all components, reconstruction of missing parts, re-covering and varnishing of the structure.
The SZD-10 Czapla is a Polish two-seat training glider designed in 1953 by a team of engineers at the Glider Experimental Works in Bielsko-Biala, consisting of Roman Zatwarnicki, Irena Kaniewska and Marian Gracz. The glider was developed in response to the need to replace single-seat training gliders with two-seat ones, in order to improve the efficiency of pilot training.
The Czapla features a wooden “braced high-wing” construction, with seats for the student and instructor in a 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 was first flown on 23 November 1953. After introducing necessary structural modifications, serial production continued from 1955 to 1958. A total of 157 units of this glider were built. The Czapla was used not only in Poland but was also exported to Finland and Turkey.
| Wingspan | 16.00 m |
| Length | 8.73 m |
| Height | 1.98 m |
| Wing area | 24.00 m² |
| Empty weight | 280 kg |
| Takeoff weight | 435 kg |
| Minimum speed | 48 km/h |
| Maximum permitted speed | 160 km/h |
| Minimum sink rate | 0.96 m/s at 52 km/h |
| Glide ratio | 17.1 (at V=64 km/h) |
Abbreviated photographic documentation of the restoration:
