SZD-24 Foka

The SZD‑24 Foka is a single‑seat, high‑performance sailplane that emerged from post‑war Poland’s vigorous gliding programme. Designed under the direction of Władysław Okarmus and built at the Szybowcowy Zakład Doświadczalny (SZD) in Bielsko‑Biała, the aircraft made its maiden flight in the spring of 1955 and entered series production the same year. Its 15‑metre (49 ft) wingspan incorporates a thin, laminar‑flow airfoil and a wooden, semi‑monocoque fuselage that together deliver an excellent glide ratio of about 32 : 1. Integrated DFS‑type air‑brakes on the upper wing surface allow precise approach control, while the cockpit’s bubble canopy provides unobstructed visibility for pilots in competition and cross‑country tasks. Over 300 examples were delivered to Polish clubs and exported to several Eastern‑European nations, where the Foka quickly earned a reputation for reliability and soaring efficiency. The type set multiple national distance records in the late 1950s and helped restore Poland’s standing in international gliding after World II. Its successful combination of simple construction, competitive performance, and ease of handling made the SZD‑24 a benchmark for subsequent Polish sailplanes and an enduring symbol of the country’s aeronautical resurgence.