Aircrafttotal Encyclopedia

PZL M-4 Tarpan (also tarpan) was a Polish trainer and sports aircraft prototype of the 1960s, designed in WSK-Mielec.

Metal construction low-wing monoplane, conventional in layout, metal covered. Semi-monocoque fuselage. Trapezoid two-spar wings. Crew of two, sitting in tandem, under a common canopy, with double controls (student in front, instructor in the rear). Retractable tricycle landing gear. Two-blade wooden propeller of variable pitch (diameter 2 m). Fuel tanks in wings (140 L).

Design and development

The M-4 was designed for a demand of the Polish Aero Club, for a trainer plane with a retractable tricycle landing gear. It was based on an earlier project PZL M-2. The basic variant was to be M-4P, for navigation training. The works started in 1958, and the first prototype was built in 1960. Due to a long engine development, it first flew on September 7, 1961 (registration SP-PAW). Trials showed, that the weight was much higher, than estimated (890 kg instead of 748 kg), which demanded changes in design. In July 1964 the second prototype was flown (registration SP-PAK).

The flight characteristics and stability of the M-4 were estimated as good, it was also fit to aerobatics and rally flying. The cab offered an excellent view for the crew and the plane was overall quite successful. However, because of too high price, the Polish Aero Club decided not to order the plane and the production has not started. A development of the flat engine PZL WN-6 was troublesome and was finally canceled at that time as well.

Polskie Zakłady Lotnicze

WSK "PZL-Mielec
PZL M-4 Tarpan (also tarpan)

General Info

Crew: 2
Length: 7.33 m (24 ft 1 in)
Wingspan: 8.85 m (29 ft 0 in)
Height: 2.73 m (8 ft 11 in)
Wing area: 11.79 m² (126.9 sq ft)

Powerplant

Empty weight: 758 kg (1,671 lb) Max takeoff weight: 1,050 kg Powerplant: 1 × Narkiewicz WN-6 air-cooled 6-cylinder horizontally-opposed engine, 134–145 kW (180–195 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 307 km/h (191 mph, 166 kn)
Minimum control speed: 96 km/h (60 mph, 52 kn) (with flaps)
Range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi)
Service ceiling: 6,900 m (1,260 ft)

Armament

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- Zlin 526

Special Links WSK "PZL-Mielec

Links to Youtube & Others

From 1969 onwards, a handful of TS-11s have been used by the Polish Air Force's Biało-Czerwone Iskry aerobatics display team, who performed their last display on 22 August 2021. It has also been used for aerial reconnaissance purposes.

PZL M-4 Tarpan (also tarpan)

The PZL TS-11 Iskra (English: Spark) is a Polish jet trainer, developed and manufactured by aircraft company PZL-Mielec.

Youtube Link

Recorded Nov. 14th 2009, I had the opportunity to fly with Dr. Wayne Clark in his PZL-WSK-Mielec TS-11 ISKRA JET

PZL Mielec
PZL M-4 Tarpan (also tarpan)

PZL M-4 Tarpan (also tarpan)

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History WSK "PZL-Mielec
PZL M-4 Tarpan (also tarpan)