Book Review of Polskie Skrzydla Polish Wings 36 TS-11 Iskra
Authors: Dariusz Karnas & Artur Juszczek
Stratus Books
ISBN. 978-83-67227-18-6
Copyright: 2023
MSRP: $25.00
ISBN. 978-83-67227-18-6
Copyright: 2023
MSRP: $25.00
HISTORY:
The PZL TS-11 Iskra (English: Spark) is a Polish jet trainer, developed and manufactured by aircraft company PZL-Mielec. It was used by the air forces of Poland and India. It is notable as being the first domestically developed jet aircraft to be produced by Poland, its service for over 50 years as the principal training aircraft of the Polish Air Force, and at the time of its retirement was the oldest jet-propelled aircraft still in service in Poland.
As a part of efforts to preserve Poland's ability to independently develop aircraft in an era of political and economic subservience to the neighbouring Soviet Union, during the 1950s, Polish engineers at the Poland's Aviation Institute (IL) commenced early work upon the design of what would become the first jet aircraft to be developed in Poland. Following the death of Joseph Stalin, work on the initiative could be performed more openly and government officials became supportive of such a venture.
The fledgling design was heavily influenced by the requirements specified by the Polish Air Force, who had formalised a requirement for a jet-propelled aircraft for training purposes. On 5 February 1960, the first prototype conducted its maiden flight, powered by an imported British Armstrong Siddeley Viper turbojet engine.
During 1963, deliveries of the first production model of the type, designated as the TS-11 Iskra bis A, commenced to the Polish Air Force. During the 1960s, the Iskra competed to be selected as the standard jet trainer throughout the Warsaw Pact. However, it was not selected to fulfil this significant role, the rival Czechoslovakian Aero L-29 Delfín having been chosen instead, which went on to be built in greater numbers for a wide number of export customers.
Production of the TS-11 came to an end during 1987, however the type remained in service with the Polish Air Force and the Indian Air Force into the 21st century. From 1969 onwards, a handful of TS-11s have been used by the Polish Air Force Biało-Czerwone Iskry aerobatic display team, who performed their last display on 22 August 2021. It has also been used for aerial reconnaissance purposes. During the aircraft's later years of service, several examples have been sold onto private owners.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Crew: 2
Length: 11.15 m (36 ft 7 in)
Wingspan: 10.06 m (33 ft 0 in)
Height: 3.5 m (11 ft 6 in)
Wing area: 17.5 m2 (188 sq ft)
Airfoil: root: NACA 64-209; tip: NACA 64-009[20]
Empty weight: 2,560 kg (5,644 lb.)
Gross weight: 3,734 kg (8,232 lb.) [21]
Max takeoff weight: 3,840 kg (8,466 lb.)
Powerplant: 1 × WSK SO-3 turbojet engine, 9.81 kN (2,210 lbf) thrust
Maximum speed: 720 km/h (450 mph, 390 kn) at 5,000 m (16,000 ft)
Cruise speed: 600 km/h (370 mph, 320 kn)
Stall speed: 140 km/h (87 mph, 76 kn)
Never exceed speed: 750 km/h (470 mph, 400 kn)
Range: 1,250 km (780 mi, 670 nm.)
Service ceiling: 11,000 m (36,000 ft)
Rate of climb: 14.8 m/s (2,910 ft/min)
Wing loading: 213 kg/m2 (44 lb./sq ft)
Thrust/weight: 0.30
Armament:
1x 23 mm NS-23 or NR-23 cannon in the nose
4 underwing pylons, up to 400 kg (880 lb.) of bombs or unguided S-5 rocket pods Mars-4 (8 rockets) or Zeus-1 (12,7mm) gun packs.
THE BOOK:
Stratus Books is based in Poland.
This book is soft-bound of 112 pages, in 8 ¼” x 11 ¾” format.
It contains 147 color photos and 40 black and white ones.
There are cover arts shown in the book of other Polish Wings books (Numbers 32, 33, 34 & 35). Four record certificates.
There are 52 color side view illustrations of the TS-11 Iskra. Five top and bottom views. Six top views.
There are 3 data lists.
Finally, there are 77 color illustrations of squadron insignias.
This book will be of great interest to modelers and aviation historians alike.
I sincerely wish to thank Casemate, the N. American distributor of Stratus books for this sample. All Stratus titles can be viewed on Casemate’s web site at:
The PZL TS-11 Iskra (English: Spark) is a Polish jet trainer, developed and manufactured by aircraft company PZL-Mielec. It was used by the air forces of Poland and India. It is notable as being the first domestically developed jet aircraft to be produced by Poland, its service for over 50 years as the principal training aircraft of the Polish Air Force, and at the time of its retirement was the oldest jet-propelled aircraft still in service in Poland.
As a part of efforts to preserve Poland's ability to independently develop aircraft in an era of political and economic subservience to the neighbouring Soviet Union, during the 1950s, Polish engineers at the Poland's Aviation Institute (IL) commenced early work upon the design of what would become the first jet aircraft to be developed in Poland. Following the death of Joseph Stalin, work on the initiative could be performed more openly and government officials became supportive of such a venture.
The fledgling design was heavily influenced by the requirements specified by the Polish Air Force, who had formalised a requirement for a jet-propelled aircraft for training purposes. On 5 February 1960, the first prototype conducted its maiden flight, powered by an imported British Armstrong Siddeley Viper turbojet engine.
During 1963, deliveries of the first production model of the type, designated as the TS-11 Iskra bis A, commenced to the Polish Air Force. During the 1960s, the Iskra competed to be selected as the standard jet trainer throughout the Warsaw Pact. However, it was not selected to fulfil this significant role, the rival Czechoslovakian Aero L-29 Delfín having been chosen instead, which went on to be built in greater numbers for a wide number of export customers.
Production of the TS-11 came to an end during 1987, however the type remained in service with the Polish Air Force and the Indian Air Force into the 21st century. From 1969 onwards, a handful of TS-11s have been used by the Polish Air Force Biało-Czerwone Iskry aerobatic display team, who performed their last display on 22 August 2021. It has also been used for aerial reconnaissance purposes. During the aircraft's later years of service, several examples have been sold onto private owners.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Crew: 2
Length: 11.15 m (36 ft 7 in)
Wingspan: 10.06 m (33 ft 0 in)
Height: 3.5 m (11 ft 6 in)
Wing area: 17.5 m2 (188 sq ft)
Airfoil: root: NACA 64-209; tip: NACA 64-009[20]
Empty weight: 2,560 kg (5,644 lb.)
Gross weight: 3,734 kg (8,232 lb.) [21]
Max takeoff weight: 3,840 kg (8,466 lb.)
Powerplant: 1 × WSK SO-3 turbojet engine, 9.81 kN (2,210 lbf) thrust
Maximum speed: 720 km/h (450 mph, 390 kn) at 5,000 m (16,000 ft)
Cruise speed: 600 km/h (370 mph, 320 kn)
Stall speed: 140 km/h (87 mph, 76 kn)
Never exceed speed: 750 km/h (470 mph, 400 kn)
Range: 1,250 km (780 mi, 670 nm.)
Service ceiling: 11,000 m (36,000 ft)
Rate of climb: 14.8 m/s (2,910 ft/min)
Wing loading: 213 kg/m2 (44 lb./sq ft)
Thrust/weight: 0.30
Armament:
1x 23 mm NS-23 or NR-23 cannon in the nose
4 underwing pylons, up to 400 kg (880 lb.) of bombs or unguided S-5 rocket pods Mars-4 (8 rockets) or Zeus-1 (12,7mm) gun packs.
THE BOOK:
Stratus Books is based in Poland.
This book is soft-bound of 112 pages, in 8 ¼” x 11 ¾” format.
It contains 147 color photos and 40 black and white ones.
There are cover arts shown in the book of other Polish Wings books (Numbers 32, 33, 34 & 35). Four record certificates.
There are 52 color side view illustrations of the TS-11 Iskra. Five top and bottom views. Six top views.
There are 3 data lists.
Finally, there are 77 color illustrations of squadron insignias.
This book will be of great interest to modelers and aviation historians alike.
I sincerely wish to thank Casemate, the N. American distributor of Stratus books for this sample. All Stratus titles can be viewed on Casemate’s web site at:
Highly recommended.