SZD-9 Bocian
The SZD-9 Bocian is a multi-purpose two-seat sailplane that was designed and built in Poland at Szybowcowy Zakład Doświadczalny in Bielsko-Biała, beginning in 1952. It was designed to be capable of fulfilling the needs of every area from training to competition flying.History
Main designer was Marian Wasilewski, with Roman Zatwarnicki and Justyn Sandauer. The prototype SZD-9 flew for the first time on 10 March 1952, piloted by Adam Zientek. After flight testing was completed, suggested changes were incorporated into the design and production began, as SZD-9bis Bocian-1A. The first production unit flew for the first time on 13 March 1953, and 11 units were built.
Apart from use in Poland, the type was exported to 27 countries, including Austria, Australia, Belgium, China, France, Greece, India, Norway, former East Germany and West Germany, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Venezuela, United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union. Polish pilots set many international records flying SZD-9s.Variants
- SZD-9 Bocian - two prototypes
- SZD-9bis Bocian-1A - the first variant, 11 built
- SZD-9bis Bocian-1B - improved variant, 11 built
- SZD-9bis Bocian-1C - improved variant of 1954, 40 built
- SZD-9bis Bocian-Z - modified competition variant for 1956 World Gliding Competition, 3 built
- SZD-9bis Bocian-1D - improved variant of 1958, 186 built
- SZD-9bis Bocian-1E - modified trainer variant of 1967, 366 built
- SZD-33 Bocian 3 - intended to replace SZD-9's and SZD-10's but discontinued in favour of the SZD-9bis Bocian-1E.
Specifications (SZD-9bis)
