PZL TS-11 Iskra

TS-11 Iskra
TS-11 Iskra bis DF at Radom Air Show 2005
Role Trainer aircraft
Manufacturer PZL-Mielec
First flight 5 February 1960
Introduction 1964
Status Limited Service
Primary users Polish Air Force
Polish Navy
Indian Air Force
Produced 1963–1987
Number built 424

The PZL TS-11 Iskra (English: Spark) is a Polish jet trainer, developed and manufactured by aircraft company PZL-Mielec. It has been 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 as 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 influence 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's Biało-Czerwone Iskry aerobatics display team. 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.

Development

TS-11 Iskra bis B – front view

Following the end of the Second World War, Poland was politically dominated by the neighbouring Soviet Union; as a consequence, the Polish aviation industry underwent vast changes at the behest of the Soviets.[1] According to aviation author Jerzy K. Cynk, the immediate post-war decade was a period of frustrated efforts and disappointments, by early 1951, all of the nation's design offices had been dissolved and the entirety of indigenous projects were terminated. Instead, Poland's aircraft factories were assigned to produce mainly Russian-sourced military-orientated equipment to meet the requirements of the Soviet war machine, such as the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 fighter aircraft. Shortly following the death of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, military orders were drastically cut, leading to Polish aircraft plants falling idle and some being permanently closing down.[1]

While the nation's design offices had been liquidated, some former members had joined Poland's Aviation Institute (1L) and performed some limited work on various original projects, even though such efforts were initially officially discouraged.[1] As such, it was at IL that the effort to design would become the first jet aircraft to be developed in Poland originated; however, during the late 1950s, responsibility for the design work on the program was transferred to aircraft manufacturer PZL-Mielec at an early stage in order that IL could resume its primary mission of scientific and technological research. Much of the design work on the program was produced in response to the specified needs of a requirement issued by the Polish Air Force for a capable jet-propelled trainer aircraft, which was seeking a replacement for the piston-engined PZL TS-8 Bies at the time.[2]

Polish government officials came to openly regard the project as being of considerable importance to the nation's aviation industry, thus vigorous efforts were made to support the development of the TS-11. The main designer was Polish aeronautical engineer Tadeusz Sołtyk; his initials was the source for part of the type's official designation TS-11.[2] Early on, it was decided to adopt a foreign-sourced turbojet engine to power the aircraft. Quickly, the British Armstrong Siddeley Viper had emerged as the company's favoured option; however, reportedly, negotiations for its acquisition eventually broken down; accordingly, work on the project was delayed until a suitable domestically-built powerplant had reached an advanced stage of development.[2]

On 5 February 1960, the first prototype conducted its maiden flight, powered by an imported Viper 8 engine, capable of producing up to 7.80 kN (1,750 lbf) of thrust. On 11 September 1960, the aircraft's existence was publicly revealed during an aerial display held over Lodz.[2] The next pair of prototypes, which performed their first flights during March and July 1961 respectively, were instead powered by a Polish copy of the Viper engine, designated as the WSK HO-10.[3] The flight test program that the three prototypes were subjected to had both demonstrated the capabilities of the new aircraft and its suitability for satisfying the Polish Air Force's stated requirements for a trainer jet; as such, it was soon accepted by the Polish Air Force.

During 1963, the first production model of the type, designated as the TS-11 Iskra bis A, commenced delivery to the service. From about 1966, new-build aircraft were furnished with a newer Polish-designed turbojet engine, designated as the WSK SO-1, which was capable of producing up to 9.80 kN (2,200 lbf) of thrust and reportedly gave the TS-11 a top speed of 497 mph.[3] From 1969 onwards, the improved WSK SO-3 engine became available, offering considerably longer times between overhauls; this engine was later improved into the WSK SO-3W, which was able to generate 10.80 kN (2,425 lbf) of thrust.[4]

Design

TS-11 Iskra bis B

The PZL TS-11 Iskra is an all-metal jet-propelled trainer aircraft. It is relatively conventional in layout, featuring a trapezoid-shaped mid-wing arrangement. These wings, which only had a gentle angle of sweep along the leading edge, feature air intakes embedded into the wing root. The TS-11's single turbojet engine is accommodated with the main fuselage, its exhaust is located beneath the boom-mounted tail fin, which provides the aircraft with a fairly unusual silhouette. Both of the crew, typically being the student in the front and instructor in the back, are provided with ejector seats for emergency egress.

Some models of the TS-11 can be armed; armaments have consisted of a single nose-mounted forward-firing 23 mm machine gun, along with a total of four underwing hardpoints that were compatible with a variety of different weapons, including bombs and rockets.[5] Most models of the aircraft lack a radar set; however, the specialised TS-11R reconnaissance variant is provided with such equipment. The TS-11 can also be outfitted with various cameras for the purpose of performing aerial photography missions.[6] Poland is currently developing the new TS-11S Iskra (Spark) as a future jet trainer. It will be equipped with new avionics, strengthened structures and a more powerful engine.

Operational history

HUD mounted in PZL TS-11F Iskra (MSPO 2008).
TS-11 Iskra MR of Biało-Czerwone Iskry aerobatic team

During 1964, the TS-11 prototype broke four separate world records in its class, including a speed record, having been recorded as having attained a top speed of 839 km/h (524 mph) during one flight. From 1969 onwards, various TS-11s have been used by the Polish Air Force's aerobatics display team, which was initially called Rombik and is currently named Biało-Czerwone Iskry (Translates to English as White-and-Red Sparks).[7][8] Unusually for an Eastern European aircraft of the era, the TS-11 never received a NATO reporting name (for jet trainers, a two-syllable word starting with letter M) for the type.

During the 1960s, the Iskra competed to be selected as the standard jet trainer for the Warsaw Pact, the Soviet Union had given Poland a promise to support its aviation industry and to favour the procurement of suitable aircraft for this purpose from Polish manufacturers.[9] However, the Iskra was not selected for this role, it had lost out to the Czechoslovak Aero L-29 Delfín, another newly-designed jet-propelled trainer aircraft; according to aviation author John C. Fredrikson, this outcome had been highly unexpected and surprising to several observers.[10] Largely as a result of this decision, Poland became the only Warsaw Pact member to adopt the Iskra while most others adopting the rival Delfin instead.

During 1975, an initial batch of 50 Iskra bis D trainer aircraft were exported to India, the type's sole export customer; during the 1990s, a further 26 aircraft were delivered to the Indian Air Force. During its Indian service, a total of seven aircraft were reportedly lost, killing four crew. During December 2004, the Indian Air Force officially withdrew the last of its Iskra trainers. By 1987, a total of 424 aircraft had reportedly been constructed, after which point production of the type was terminated due to a lack of demand.

During 2002, the Polish Air Force reportedly still operated a fleet of 110 TS-11s, including 5 TS-11R reconnaissance aircraft. The Iskra became the first and so far the only Polish jet trainer to reach serial production – the programme intended to produce a successor, the PZL I-22 Iryda (later designated as the M-93 Iryda), failed for several reasons and only a few were completed during the 1990s before the program was aborted.[11][12] In its place, the TS-11 has been considered for upgrades to better enable its continued service;[13] however, during 2010, the Polish Air Force issued a tender for a new advanced jet pilot training system to eventually replace the TS-11.[14]

By 2013, Poland was stated to have a total of 30 (total number of school aircraft: TS-11, PZL-130) operational Iskras still in service.[15] During 2016, Poland took delivery of its first few Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Masters, a modern trainer aircraft which, in conjunction with ground-based training equipment such as flight simulators, shall progressively take on the Polish Air Force's training needs.[16]

Variants

Polish TS-11 Iskra R
Variants of the TS-11
TS-11 Iskra bis A
Two-seat jet trainer aircraft. The Iskra bis A was the first production model.[6]
TS-11 Iskra bis B / TS-11 Iskra 100
Two-seat jet trainer aircraft; furnished with a total of four underwing pylons for the carriage of weapons.[6]
TS-11 Iskra bis C / TS-11 Iskra 200 Art
Single-seat reconnaissance aircraft from 1971. It had a camera in the lower fuselage and increased fuel capacity.[6] Only 5 were built in 1972, in 1983 were converted to trainers.
TS-11 Iskra bis D / TS-11 Iskra 200 SB
Two-seat jet trainer aircraft from 1973. Fifty of those aircraft were built for the Indian Air Force with bigger payload.[6]
TS-11 Iskra bis DF
Two-seat trainer-reconnaissance aircraft from 1974. It can carry armament, in addition to an arrangement of three cameras.[6]
TS-11 Iskra R
Two-seat naval reconnaissance aircraft, equipped with a surveillance radar, RDS-81. Six aircraft converted in 1991.
TS-11 Iskra BR 200
Single-seat attack and reconnaissance aircraft prototype from 1972, did not enter production.
TS-11 Iskra MR
TS-11 with modernized avionics according to ICAO standards and operated in the Biało-Czerwone Iskry aerobatics team since 1998.
TS-11 Iskra Jet / TS-11 Spark
After being withdrawn from service, it was disarmed and sold to private users in the United States, Australia and others countries as a warbird valued for its double seats and easy handling.
TS-11F Iskra
Proposition of modernisation of TS-11 made by Instytut Techniczny Wojsk Lotniczych, as training jet preparing pilots to operate on F-16 C/D Block 52+[17]

Operators

TS-11 Iskra MR of Biało-Czerwone Iskry team
 Poland
 Poland
 India

Specifications (Iskra bis D)

Unguided rocket pod on external pylon of TS-11 Iskra R
Nose of TS-11 Iskra R, barrel of 23mm cannon is visible

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976-77[19]

General characteristics

Performance

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.

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 Cynk 1962. p. 14.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Cynk 1962. p. 15.
  3. 1 2 Cynk, Jerzy K. "At the crossroads." Flight International, 3 June 1971. p. 808.
  4. ↑ "PZL (Poland)." Flight International, 13 January 1979. p. 104.
  5. ↑ "WSK - Mielec TS-11 Iskra." Flight International, 13 December 1973. p. 1012.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Chant 1988, p. 224.
  7. ↑ Lipka, Lukasz and Pawel Walaszek. "41st Training Air Base." Aviation Photo Digest, Registered: 17 February 2018.
  8. ↑ "White-red Sparks from Poland at SIAF 2014." siaf.sk, 9 July 2014.
  9. ↑ Cynk 1962. pp. 14-15.
  10. ↑ Fredriksen 2001, p. 4.
  11. ↑ Jeziorski, Andrzej. "Mielec delivers first K-15 Irydas." Flight International, 17 May 1995.
  12. ↑ Jaxa-Malachowski, Ryszard. "Poland's Iryda flies again, but now renamed Iskra 2." Flight International, 30 July 2002.
  13. ↑ "Iskra Upgrade." Flight International, 28 March 2006.
  14. ↑ Glowacki, Bartosz. "Poland issues tender for new jet trainer fleet." Flight International, 10 September 2010.
  15. ↑ "Wysłużone samoloty szkoleniowe trafiają do muzeów i szkół" (in Polish). Onet Wiadomości Retrieved: 16 February 2013.
  16. ↑ Glowacki, Bartosz. "Poland's first M-346 trainers arrive in Deblin." Flight International, 16 November 2016.
  17. ↑ "The upgrading of the TS-11F Iskra to provide training to pilots for the F-16." ITWL. Retrieved: 12 September 2012.
  18. ↑ "Indian Iskras Phased Out." Archived 2007-09-07 at the Wayback Machine. bharat-rakshak.com. Retrieved: 12 September 2012.
  19. ↑ Taylor 1976, pp. 143–144.
  20. ↑ Air International March 1979, p. 130.

Bibliography

  • Chant, Chris. Encyclopaedia of Modern Aircraft Armaments. Patrick Stephens, 1988. ISBN 0-850-59862-1.
  • Cynk, Jerzy K. "Progress in Poland." Flight International, 4 January 1962. pp. 14-17.
  • Fredriksen, John C. International Warbirds: An Illustrated Guide to World Military Aircraft, 1914–2000. ABC-CLIO, 2001. ISBN 1-576-07364-5.
  • "Poland's Veteran Spark." Air International, Vol. 16 No. 3, March 1979, pp. 126–131. Bromley, UK:Fine Scroll Publishing.
  • Taylor, John W.R., ed. Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1976–77. London: Macdonald and Jane's, 1976. ISBN 0-354-00538-3.
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