PW-5 Smyks in Argentina

The PW-5 Smyk world class glider is very popular in Argentina - in fact there are more Smyks registered in Argentina than any other country - If you include the two recent examples exported from New Zealand to Argentina a total of 38 Smyks have been registered since 1997.

I'd like to thank Raul Macchi of Argentina for supplying the following two photos of the PW-5 Smyk in Argentina.

LV-EOZ c/n 17.08.002 - this Smyk was built in 1997 and originally exported by PZL Swidnik to New Zealand where it became ZK-GSJ in November 1997 registered to an owner in Queenstwon. In 1999 this Smyk was sold to Argentina with just 30 flight hours where it was registered as LV-EOZ, operating with the Gliding Club Rosario - it is interesting to note that this Smyk still wears the tail code "SJ" from its previous New Zealand registration and appears to lack LV-EOZ.

LV-EOV PW-5 Smyk c/n 17.12.022 - this Smyk was built by PZL Swidnik in 2001although it wasn't registered until August 2003 as ZK-GHK in New Zealand ( hence HK tail code in this photo ). In May 2009 it was cancelled from the aircraft register in New Zealand and sold on to Argentina where it became LV-EOV. This Smyk is flown by Raul Macchi and operates from Gliding Club Bolivar.

If anyone can give me an update on the two most recent Smyks to be imported into Argentina ( during 2010 ) please let me know - these are

Smyk c/n 17.03.004 ex ZK-GWN

Smyk c/n 17.08.016 ex ZK-GES


Steve in UK

PW-5 Smyk - c/n 17.03.004 leaves New Zealand

The PW-5 Smyk single seat glider has been very popular in New Zealand over the past 15 years with over 20 different airframes delivered.

The PW-5 Smyk was originally designed by the Politechnic Warszawa in Warsaw, Poland as a design entry for the FAI World Class glider competition - the Smyk was the winning design and serial production was undertaken by the PZL Swidnik factory from 1993 to 2003.

Smyk c/n 17.03.004 was built in late 1994 and arrived in New Zealand in March 1995 becoming ZK-GWN flying with the Wellington Glider Club at Paraparaumu.




This Smyk was cancelled from the New Zealand aircraft register on 6th January 2010 as "exported"

If you know where is has been sold to then please do let me know - my guess would be Argentina or Australia but I'd like confirmation please.




Steve

Kingston Deverill - The Park 6.12.09

The Bath, Wiltshire and North Dorset Gliding Club operate several Polish built SZD gliders at "The Park" airfield at Kingston Deverill.

Seen on 6.12.09 were


G-CKAN SZD 50-3 Puchacz c/n B-2106 - this Puchacz was built in 1997 and originally sold to The Netherlands as PH-1104. In June 1997 it suffered a major accident and it returned to SZD at Bielsko-Biala for an investigation and rebuild. It was then sold to the UK and became BGA 4938 in December 2001 and G-CKAN in November 2007.




G-DFLL SZD 9 Bis Bocian 1D - this beautiful red training glider was built in 1965 at SZD Krosno with c/n F-877. It was sold to Finland as OH-KBP and later OH-336. In 1988 it arrived in the UK and became BGA 3345 and in September 2009 became G-DFLL.


G-DCEB - the Club also operate this SZD 9 Bis Bocian 1E - the 1E version has a spring loaded nose wheel. G-DCEB is c/n P-433 was built in 1967 at SZD Jezow. It was exported to the UK and became BGA 1474 and then G-DCEB in February 2008.

Hanging on the wall behind you can see another Bocian BGA 4090 which is now withdrawn from use.



Steve