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SZD-9 Bocian
Role	Two Seater Class sailplane
National origin	Poland
Manufacturer	Szybowcowy Zaklad Doswiadczalny
Designed by	Marian Wasilewski, Roman Zatwarnicki and Justyn Sandauer
First flight	10 March 1952
Number built	616

The SZD-9 Bocian (Polish: "Stork") was designed by Marian Wasilewski, with Roman Zatwarnicki and Justyn Sandauer as a multi-purpose two-seat sailplane capable of fulfilling the needs of every area from training to competition flying.

The prototype SZD-9 flew for the first time on 10 March 1952. An improved model was accepted for a production as SZD-9bis Bocian-1A (or simply "Bocian A"). The first serial glider flew for the first time on 13 March 1953 and 11 were built.

Apart from use in Poland, the type was exported to 27 countries, including Austria, Australia, Belgium, China, France, Greece, India, Norway, East Germany, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Venezuela, United Kingdom, Soviet Union.

[edit] Variants

An SZD-9 Bocian of Areoklub Opolski

SZD-9 Bocian - prototype
SZD-9bis Bocian-1A - the first variant, 11 built
SZD-9bis Bocian-1B - improved variant (eg. bigger tailfin), 11 built
SZD-9bis Bocian-1C - improved variant of 1954 (wings swept at lesser angle, modified control surfaces and rear skid), 40 built
SZD-9bis Bocian-Z - modified competition variant for 1956 World Gliding Competition, 3 built (2 rebuilt of Bocian C)
SZD-9bis Bocian-1D - improved variant of 1958 (bigger wheel and minor modifications), 186 built
SZD-9bis Bocian-1E - modified trainer variant of 1967 (straight wing tips, two-part canopy instead of three-part, landing gear with shock absorbers), 366 built
SZD-33 Bocian 3 - intended to replace szd-9's and SZD-10's but discontinued in favour of the SZD-9bis Bocian1E.

[edit] Specifications

General characteristics

Crew: Two
Length: 8.20 m (26 ft 11 in)
Wingspan: 17.80 m (58 ft 5 in)
Height: 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Wing area: 20.0 m² (215 ft²)
Empty weight: 345 kg (759 lb)
Gross weight: 540 kg (1,190 lb)

Performance

Maximum speed: 200 km/h (125 mph)
Maximum glide ratio: 26
Rate of sink: 0.82 m/s (161 ft/min)

Comparable aircraft

Schleicher ASK 13

[edit] References

Hardy, Michael (1982). Gliders and Sailplanes of the World. Shepperton: Ian Allen. pp. 125–26.
Coates, Andrew (1978). Jane's World Sailplanes and Motor Gliders. London: MacDonald and Jane's. p. 115.