SZD-8 „Jaskolka ter” – the Polish glider

Construction work on "Jaskolka" (Swallow) began in the early 1950s after a conference at SZD (Szybowcowe Zaklady Doswiadczalne - Glider Testing Workshop), which was attended by a number of Polish pilots and constructors. Accepted requirements, that must be met by competitive gliders, that can fly in thermals, upwind, on a wind wave, as well as for flights in clouds and storm. In addition, the machine had to perform full aerobatics and be suitable for any method of towing - by rope after the plane, by a puller, with the help of a damping rope or even a gravity starts. The design of the glider was prepared by Tadeusz Kostija, and the structural documentation was prepared by Justin Sandauer and Adam Skrabinski. The first prototype, designated SP-1222, was built in Bielsko Biala and took to the air for the first time on September 21, 1951. The glider was piloted by test pilot Adam Zientk. During the tests it became clea,r that the machine has a number of control problems, the most dangerous of which was the spontaneous entry into a flat spinner. After elimination of shortcomings and subsequent tests showed, that the new version of "Jaskolka bis" (first flight - December 24, 1952, pilot - Adam Zentk) is a machine with very excellent aerodynamic and flight characteristics. Later, the group of constructors, led by Mr. Eng. Z. Brachacki, based on the SZD-8 bis, built a new version of the glider - the SZD-8 ter, in which the structure of the aerodynamic brakes was changed from wooden to metal, the instrument panel was reconstructed, the ballast water tank filling system was repaired, and the previously rather thick wing-body was thinned trailing edge of transition. Also, the wooden non-laying putties were replaced with laminate ones.

From the details of the publication You can make a model of a glider SZD-8 „Jaskolka ter” with registration SP-3675, which is a medium complexity, interesting model with excellent detailing of the cabin interior. And anyway, the detailing for such a model is almost amazing. Recommended for modelers of all experience, only advanced beginners and less experienced modelers are advised to work under the supervision of a more experienced colleague - it will not only be easier, but also more fun. By the way, modelers with the least experience can also make a model of this glider, but they are advised not to detail the cabin interior, make the cabin cover opaque.