Łódź 2021-02-02
Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze Nr 1 S.A.
Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze Nr 1 S.A. in Łódź is a repair and production plant for the aviation industry. In short, the designation is WZL-1 S.A.
Description to the photo: The unarmed Mil Mi-17 helicopters were brought to Poland in 1989. In WZL No. 1, two of them were modified to the Mi-17AE (Aero Evacuation) version, i.e. medical evacuation of soldiers from the battlefield. One of these helicopters was the Mi-17 AE Nr 106M06, Nb 606, the helicopter was in stock 37. PŚTr.
History of WZL-1 S.A.
History of WZL-1 S.A. began in 1945, when the 131st Independent Aviation Workshop was handed over by the CCCP under the command of the 2nd Polish Army. The workshops were moved to Łódź to Plac Niepodległości (then Plac Leonarda). The plant was designated the military unit of JW. 1519. (1947), and in 1952, the name of Aviation Repair Workshops No. 1. In 1953, the plant was moved to Lublinek Airport. Even then, there was no air combat unit at the airport. Repairs of Po-2, Ił-10, Junak-2, Junak-3, Jak-11, Jak-12, Jak-18, TS-8 Bies, An-2 aircraft were carried out here. In 1957, the plant changed its name to Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze No. 1. Apart from repairs, the production of the SZD-10 bis A Czapla glider (1959) and the Gacek flying target (1960) were carried out here.
From 1960, helicopter repairs began, which became the showcase of the plant. The SM-1 and SM-2 helicopters were repaired. Since 1970, the PZL Mi-2 helicopters have been repaired. At the beginning of the 90s, the helicopters were repaired, and so far they were renovated in the CCCP; Mi-8, Mi-14, Mi-17, Mi-24 and the American sea helicopter Kaman SH-2G. In connection with the privatization process of the plants, in 2008, they were transformed into a joint-stock company and the name was changed to Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze Nr 1 S. A.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman