Construction Experimental Works (Zakład Doświadczalny Rozwoju i Budowy Szybowców), and in 1971 to Gliding Research and Development Centre (Ośrodek Badawczo-Rozwojowy Szybownictwa). Despite these changes, new designs were still marked with SZD letters. Around this time, works in Bielsko-Biała were enhanced. Designs and production In 1946-1972 only, the Polish centralized glider industry, focussed around the SZD, produced 2743 gliders, of which 1167 were exported (starting from 1951), 367 of which to Western countries. In 1973 series production of laminate gliders started. Continuation by Allstar PZL Glider After the end of communism in Poland, the glider production and design centre in Bielsko-Biała together with other production plants was renamed in the 1990s to a state-owned enterprise PZL-Bielsko (full name: Przedsiębiorstwo Doświadczalno-Produkcyjne Szybownictwa PZL-Bielsko). Plans for restructuring the company could not brought to a successful end because it liquidated in 2008. In 2002 the main production plant in Bielsko and the design department was taken over by a company Allstar PZL Glider Sp.z o.o. The company now produces and develops several SZD gliders for aerobatics and cross-country: SZD-54-2 Perkoz - double-seater glider: wing span 17, 5 metres for aerobatics / wing span 17, 5 metres with winglets for training / wing span 20 metres for cross-country. SZD-59-1 Acro - single-seater glider: wing span 13,2 metres for aerobatics / wing span 15 metres for standard class / wing span 16,5 metres for cross-country. SZD-55-1 Nexus - single-seater glider: wing span 15 metres for competitive cross-country / optional with electric sustainer Allstar-e-motion. SZD-51-1 Junior - single-seater glider of club class for training. In addition, the company holds the Type Certificates of the SZD-50-3 Puchacz and the SZD-48-3 Jantar Standard 3. The SZD-50-3 double-seater glider is not in production anymore. It has been replaced by the modern design of the double-seater SZD-54-2 Perkoz. The SZD-48-3 is the last model of the famous Jantar-series and the basis of the current SZD-59-1 Acro. Allstar PZL Glider produces and distributes the spare parts of all 6 glider models. Since 2019 Allstar PZL Glider develops and produces electric propulsion systems for gliders under the name Allstar-e-motion. The proof-of-concept of the electric sustainer for the SZD-55 Nexus was first presented on the trade show AERO Friedrichshafen 2019. Between 2005 and January 2007 there existed also different manufacturer with this name, PZL-Bielsko 1 Sp. z o.o. in Górki Wielkie, producing PW-5 gliders. References Babiejczuk, Janusz and Grzegorzewski, Jerzy. Polski przemysł lotniczy 1945-1973