Częstochowa 2025-08-04
PZL M-18 Dromader SP-ZWB.
The PZL M-18 Dromader is a modern Polish agricultural and firefighting aircraft developed at WSK PZL Mielec. The prototype first flew on August 27, 1976. By the end of 1987, 433 aircraft had been built, including three prototypes and 10 pilot-production aircraft. By 2010, approximately 500 had been built. In 2013, the aircraft was still offered by PZL Mielec, which had already been owned by the American company Sikorsky since 2007. The PZL M-18 Dromader aircraft, registration SP-ZWB, has the serial number 1Z010-13 and was built in 1982. Currently (2025), it is owned by the Aviation Services Plant in Mielec. It has been used numerous times in air shows, including for dropping the so-called water bomb.
T-T PZL M-18 Dromader specifications:
Wingspan 17.70 m, Length 9.47 m, Height 3.70 m, Wing area 40.00 m². Empty weight 2,560 – 2,710 kg. Gross weight 4,200 kg. Maximum weight 5,300 kg. Payload 1,500 – 2,500 kg. Fuel capacity 400 liters. Maximum speed 256 km/h. Cruising speed 170 – 190 km/h. Climb rate 5.80 – 6.90 m/s. Maximum range 2,500 km. Operational range 500 – 970 km. Ceiling 6,500 m. Take-off run 190 – 220 m. Landing distance 250 m. ASz 62 IR-M18 piston engine, 1,000 hp.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman