PZL M18A Dromader (c/n 1Z021-13, OK-TGH), part of the Agroair company fleet, Chrudim airfield, December 2024.
Do dromedary camels hibernate in winter? Definitely yes, when it comes to those made of metal and able to fly, as proved on the photo above.
In some regions of the Czech Republic, the end of December was marked by extraordinary dull weather, with terribly thick fog and temperatures below zero (however, without any snow). It was, definitely, the weather neither for flying activity nor any nice aviation photos.
Nevertheless, when I was passing by the airfield in Chrudim – being, inter alia, the seat of well-known Czech aviation company Agroair Ltd. – that lonely M18A Dromader caught my attention and resulted in some shots made in the frosty mood of emptiness. And one of those shots is today featured within our Photo of the Week series.
The aeroplane was manufactured in 1988 by the Polish aviation company PZL Mielec, re-established after the World War II as Państwowe Zakłady Lotnicze (PZL) – Zakład Nr 1 w Mielcu (State Aviation Works – Plant No. 1 in Mielec), and later also known as WSK PZL-Mielec. It represents the M18A variant of the Dromader, built from 1984. This variant of the aeroplane offered an additional seat for mechanic to be carried onboard the aircraft to remote locations. The aeroplane is powered by ASz-62IR radial engine, generating 980 hp.
Additional, more detailed information about the PZL M18 agricultural aircraft, including history of its development, can be found in our article from October of 2020 – PZL M18B Dromader.
And, by the way, the Dromader pictured above is currently offered for sale. Therefore, if anyone is interested in owning a nice cropduster, this is a perfect opportunity.
