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This picture is © Miklos Szabo and may not be used or published without permission.

Registration: HA-PAO

Construction Number: 0448

Model Polikarpov Po-2 / CSS13

Operator: Goldtimer Foundation / Goldtimer Alapitvany

Airport: Gyuro Airfield (LHGR) , Hungary

Photographer: Miklos Szabo

Date Taken: 01/05/2010

Date Submitted: 19/01/2014

Polish version of the Soviet Polikarpov PO-2, which having been in production until 1978, was the far longest Soviet airframe ever manufactured continuously. The CSS-13 was licence-built by WSK-Okecie and WSK-Mielec between 1948 and 1956. Reportedly 500 built. This particular one was built in 1954, in Hungarian registry since 1956 as HA-PAO. WFU cca. 1968 and donated to the Museum of Transport, Budapest. Restoration in Farkashegy early 1980s. First flight after restoration in 1984, first international appearance 1985 in Switzerland, as the sole airworthy PO-2 variant in Europe. Key person was Károly Császár, who initiated and supported the restoration. July 6 1986, after finishing his demo flight in Budaörs, Károly Császár died of heart attack at the controls, still in the air. Somehow the plane landed with significant, however repairable damage. Repaired, still popular highlight of airshows. This picture is dedicated to the memory Mr. Károly Császár.

Picture ID:1438623

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