Drzonów 2022-07-12
PZL TS-11 Iskra BR 200 attack and reconnaissance aircraft.
The PZL TS-11 Iskra BR 200 nb 0823 aircraft was a prototype of the Polish single-seat single-engine attack and reconnaissance aircraft from 1972.
In the 1960s, the PZL Lim-6 bis was the primary attack aircraft in the Polish Army. Its production lasted in the first half of the 60's. In the second half of the 1960s, the search for a successor to the Lim-6 bis aircraft began. It was decided to use the PZL TS-11 Iskra Polish training aircraft, produced on a large scale, which in terms of technical solutions significantly exceeded the MiG-15/17 and its derivatives (Lim-6 bis) from the end of the 40s.
In the 70s, a single-seat reconnaissance and assault prototype was developed. The control gears and instrument panel were removed from the second cabin. An additional fuel tank is installed there. The plane received 3 AFA-39 cameras. The weapons include 100 kg bombs, 8-barrel Mars 4 launchers for unguided missiles, and artillery pods. The aircraft was powered by the SO-3 B engine with increased thrust of 1 x 1079 - 1,100 kG.
The prototype of the new aircraft was the TS-11 Iskra serial number 4H-0823. The plane belonged to the eighth production series. The prototype Iskra 200 BR nb 0823 was flown on June 22, 1972. The plane turned out to be successful and it was decided to develop it. It was planned to build a pre-production series of 5 copies. This, however, was not done and the program was discontinued. The reason was the planned purchases of Sukhoi Su-20 attack aircraft, much heavier, with greater payload, supersonic speed and variable wing geometry, which was very fashionable at the time.
The Iskra 200 BR nb 0823 prototype was exhibited for the first time at the Polish Production Aircraft Review, organized at the airport in Mielec on May 28. - 4 June 1972, by the Association of the Aviation and Engine Industry "Delta". The plane was also exhibited at the Central Military Exhibition of Invention and Rationalization in Warsaw in September and October 1973. It was the first time that an airplane had a scale-collector installed. The plane was also an export proposition.
After completing the tests, the plane found its way to the slope, and after several years it was handed over to the Lubuskie Military Museum in Drzonów.
In Poland, the PZL TS-11 Iskra BR 200 plane is very popular among modelers thanks to the fact that it offers several reduction models. There is, among others, the Choroszy Modelbud C4802 TS-11 ISKRA BR 200 model, which is offered in 1:48 scale. Available on the market from 2017. The model is priced around PLN 190. There is a model from the company MisterCraft C21 TS-11 Iskra 200 BR, which is torn off in 1:72 scale. The model is priced around PLN 20. There is a model from PLASTYK TS-11 Iskra 200 BR-1/72, which is torn off in 1:72 scale. The model is priced around PLN 15.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman