PZL-101 Gawron

The PZL‑101 Gawron was a Polish light utility and trainer aircraft built by WSK‑PZL Mielec in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Designed as a modern replacement for the Lisunov Li‑2 and the outdated PZL‑104 Wilga, the Gawron first flew on 28 May 1959 and entered series production the following year. A high‑wing monoplane with a conventional tail, it was powered by a 260 hp Ivchenko AI‑14R radial engine driving a two‑bladed propeller. The airframe featured an all‑metal semi‑monocoque construction, fixed tricycle landing gear, and a spacious cabin that could accommodate two crew members and up to four passengers or a light cargo load. Its forgiving handling characteristics, short‑field performance, and robust structure made it popular with aeroclubs, military liaison units, and agricultural operators throughout the Eastern Bloc. Although only about 400 examples were built, the Gawron demonstrated PZL Mielec’s ability to produce versatile, cost‑effective aircraft for both civilian and military markets, paving the way for later successful designs such as the An‑2 derivative and the PZL‑104 Wilga. The aircraft remains a symbol of post‑war Polish aeronautical engineering. Today a few restored Gawrons are displayed in museums and vintage airshows, reminding enthusiasts of Poland's pioneering post‑war aviation spirit.

PZL Mielec

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