The aircraft with serial number 1H-0730 is the last example of the seventh production series of the Iskra (the third series of the combat trainer version TS-11 Iskra bis B). It entered service on 12 July 1971 with the 60th Flight Training Regiment (LPSz) in Radom. In 1986, aircraft ‘0730’ was overhauled at Military Aviation Works No. 2 in Bydgoszcz. The aircraft was occasionally used in displays by the “Rombik” aerobatic team (aircraft from the VII and VIII production series were reputed to be particularly stable and easy to fly).
In 1991 the aircraft was one of 8 selected for the first permanent formation of the Air Force Aerobatic Team “Iskry” as “Red 1”. At the 54th Aviation Workshops in Radom, the aircraft were adapted for display flying. The modifications included installing an RS-6106 radio, removing the cannon and gun camera, and adding a smoke-generating system. A more powerful SO-3W engine was installed. At the same time, the team’s aircraft received special paint schemes applied at the 49th Field Aviation Workshops in Bydgoszcz, designed by Lt. Col. pilot eng. Ireneusz Fibingier.
Aircraft 1H-0730 was the first of the team’s aircraft to be test-flown, on 19 July 1991. The new team’s debut, led by Maj. pilot eng. Tomasz Radolinski, took place at the Aviation Day air show on 24 August 1991 in Poznan, after which the team performed at numerous shows in Poland and abroad, including the International Air Tattoo ’95. In 1997, aircraft No. 1 was sent for overhaul at WZL-2, where it received Bendix/King avionics and paint scheme touch-ups.
“Red 1” was one of the last Iskras on the strength of the 60th LPSz, which from 1994 was being re-equipped with PZL-130 Orlik aircraft. On 17 June 2000, the Team’s aircraft were transferred to the 58th LPSz from Deblin (from 2001, the 1st Flight Training Centre). The team was renamed “White-and-Red Iskry” (Bialo-Czerwone Iskry).
In 2004 and 2005, “Red 1”, piloted by the commander of “Bialo-Czerwone Iskry” Col. pilot Jerzy Len, led the team during the opening of the 1st and 2nd Lesser Poland Aviation Picnic. After exhausting its service life, in 2007 the aircraft was transferred to the Polish Aviation Museum.
| Wingspan | 10.06 m |
| Length | 11.15 m |
| Takeoff weight | 3862 kg |
| Maximum speed | 750 km/h |
| Ceiling | 12500 m |
| Range | 1250 km |
| Armament | none |
| Engine | SO-3W turbojet with 1100 kG thrust |
