PZL-104 "Wilga - 35A" - the Polish multipurpose aircraft

In 1958 the construction of a new multi-purpose aircraft was started at the Aviation Construction Center in Warsaw. It had to be suitable for towing gliders, training paratroopers, sanitary and agricultural purposes. In 1961 a prototype, marked PZL - 104 "Wilga", took to the air for the first time, but further tests forced the designers to almost rework the plane completely. A new, all-metal aircraft, marked "Wilga - 2", met all the requirements and in 1963 serial production of several versions began at once: "Wilga - 2P" - passenger - communication version, "Wilga - 2A" - aeroclub version (towing gliders, lifting paratroopers for jumps), Wilga - 2S - sanitary version and Wilga - 2R - agricultural version. The constantly reworked and improved design has attracted great interest not only in Poland, but also abroad. In the seventies of the 20th century successive improvements were made and a new engine - "Continental - 0-470-L" (230 h. p. power) was installed. This aircraft is designated PZL - 104 "Wilga - 35A". These planes were exported to 19 countries, including Canada, Egypt, the USA, and the USSR. After the last collapse, many airplanes of this type went to the liberated independent states, including Lithuania.

By the way, with a little computer work, it is possible to make Wilga models of similar coloring, used in Lithuania, from this publication. A model of medium complexity, but "bite" and for advanced beginner modelers, working under the supervision of a more experienced colleague.