PZL-Mielec, then known as WSK-Mielec, began to design the Dromader in the mid 1970s, with help of
United States aircraft manufacturer
Rockwell International. PZL-Mielec asked for Rockwell's help because of the political situation at the time: operating in an
Eastern Bloc country, PZL wanted the aircraft to sell well worldwide, and the company realized that certification by the United States
Federal Aviation Administration would be important in reaching that goal. Rockwell on the other hand wanted to fit Polish high-power radial engines into its agricultural planes. As a result of this cooperation the
Rockwell Thrush Commander aircraft was fitted with the
PZL-3 engine, and the Polish designers created the higher payload M-18 Dromader by introducing the more powerful
ASz-62 engine, making structural changes to the airframe, and increasing dimensions. The cooperation led to the Dromader sharing outer wing panels and part of the fuselage with the Thrush Commander.
The first prototype of the aircraft flew on August 27, 1976. In September
1978, the aircraft was given certification to fly in Poland. Certifications from many countries around the world followed soon.
Many aircraft of the M-18 type and its variations can still be seen around the world. They were sold to 24 countries, over 200 are used in the US.[1] In 2008, fifteen were sold to China.[2] In 2012, PZL-Mielec was still selling models M-18B and M-18BS, with 759 built in total.[1] As of 2017[update], the Dromader was sold by PZL-Mielec, but the production has been halted.[2] The produced aircraft are still refurbished instead, with new engines (produced by WSK "PZL-Kalisz").[2] There are plans to acquire rights and renew the production in WZL-2 in
Bydgoszcz.[2]
Variants
M-18
original one-seat production version, now[update] available for special orders only.
M-18A
two seater available from
1984 onwards. Allows a mechanic or chemical loader to be carried as a passenger to remote fields.
The Dromader is in service with aerial agriculture and other companies in many countries, operating in a variety of roles. The former Yugoslav Airline, Jugoslovenski Aerotransport, used it for cropspraying.
Specifications (M18B Dromader)
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004,[3] Jane's all the World's Aircraft 2004-05,[4][5]
General characteristics
Crew: 1 / 2 (M18BS)
Capacity: 2,500 L (660 US gal; 550 imp gal) liquid or 2,200 kg (4,900 lb) dry chemical in fibreglass hopper forward of the cockpit (smaller hopper in M18BS)