{"id":19676930,"date":"2026-09-03T14:01:54","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T12:01:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/pzl-m-15-belphegor-jet-biplane-crop-duster\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T20:53:40","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T18:53:40","slug":"pzl-m-15-belphegor-jet-biplane-crop-duster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/pzl-m-15-belphegor-jet-biplane-crop-duster\/","title":{"rendered":"PZL M-15 Belphegor: The World&#8217;s Only Jet-Powered Biplane"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.et_pb_title_container h1.entry-title { padding-top: 40px !important; }<\/style>\n<!-- mfsh:top -->\n\n<style>\n.mfsh-trigger{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;height:44px;padding:0 18px;margin:0 0 26px;border:2px solid #0F1720;background:#fff;color:#0F1720;font-family:inherit;font-size:14px;font-weight:700;line-height:1;letter-spacing:0;text-transform:none;cursor:pointer;box-shadow:none;transition:background .15s,color 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Not a jet trainer, not a jet transport. A jet crop-duster. A biplane one.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>The PZL M-15 Belphegor is the only jet-powered biplane ever put into series production, the slowest mass-produced jet in history, and quite possibly the ugliest aircraft ever built on purpose. One hundred and seventy-five were made. Three thousand were planned.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div style=\"background:#f5f5f5;padding:20px 22px;margin:24px 0;font-size:15px;line-height:1.8\"><p style=\"margin:0 0 10px;font-weight:600;font-size:17px\">Quick Facts<\/p><p style=\"margin:4px 0\"><strong>Built by:<\/strong> WSK PZL-Mielec, Poland, to a Soviet requirement agreed in December 1971<\/p><p style=\"margin:4px 0\"><strong>Purpose:<\/strong> replace the piston-engined Antonov An-2 in Soviet agricultural aviation<\/p><p style=\"margin:4px 0\"><strong>Engine:<\/strong> one Ivchenko-Progress AI-25 turbofan, 14.7 kN<\/p><p style=\"margin:4px 0\"><strong>Maximum speed:<\/strong> 200 km\/h; normal working speed 140 to 165 km\/h<\/p><p style=\"margin:4px 0\"><strong>Chemical load:<\/strong> around 2,200 kg, carried in two hoppers that doubled as the wing struts<\/p><p style=\"margin:4px 0\"><strong>Range:<\/strong> about 400 km, roughly half that of the aircraft it replaced<\/p><p style=\"margin:4px 0\"><strong>Built:<\/strong> 175, against Soviet plans for up to 3,000<\/p><p style=\"margin:4px 0\"><strong>Production ended:<\/strong> 1981<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"padding-top:22px\">Why on earth a jet<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p>The reasoning was not quite as mad as it sounds, though it was still mad. Aeroflot wanted to standardise on kerosene across its entire fleet rather than keep avgas in the supply chain for tens of thousands of An-2s. The Ivchenko AI-25 turbofan was already everywhere &mdash; it powered the Yak-40 airliner and the L-39 trainer &mdash; so the parts and the expertise existed. And turbines were believed to be cheaper to maintain than piston engines.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Underneath all that was politics. Jet propulsion was prestige, and Soviet agricultural-aviation specialists who objected were overruled from above.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Oleg Antonov, whose An-2 the thing was meant to replace, was reportedly asked to evaluate the project and declined in the most Antonov way possible.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div style=\"background:#f8f9fa;border-left:4px solid #5C91FF;padding:20px 22px;margin:18px 0 24px;font-size:16px;line-height:1.7\"><em>&ldquo;he would not evaluate rockets for digging potatoes&rdquo;<\/em><div style=\"margin-top:10px;font-size:14px;color:#555\"><strong>Oleg K. Antonov<\/strong> &mdash; Soviet aircraft designer, reportedly, on being asked to assess the M-15 project. Reported in Polish sources; not a traced verbatim quotation<\/div><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"padding-top:22px\">The engineering is genuinely clever<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p>Look past the appearance and there is real thought here. The engine sits high, above a very short fuselage and beneath the upper wing, which keeps it out of the dust and stones thrown up from rough agricultural strips. Its exhaust vents cleanly between the twin tail booms, so the jet efflux does not disturb the spray pattern behind the aircraft.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Better still, compressed air bled from the engine drives the pneumatic system that distributes dry chemicals. The powerplant is not just propulsion; it is part of the working equipment.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\" style=\"margin:0 0 24px;width:100%\"><img data-opt-id=360690197  fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"skip-lazy\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" loading=\"eager\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/ml5psubhxdln.i.optimole.com\/cb:0e0_.b970\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/09\/pzl-m-15-belphegor-tail-booms-hoppers.jpg\" alt=\"The PZL M-15 Belphegor showing its twin tail booms and chemical hoppers\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;max-width:100%;display:block\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:13px;color:#777;text-align:center;margin-top:6px;font-style:italic\">The two enormous chemical hoppers are not slung under the aircraft. They are the struts, holding the wings apart. Photo: Zala, CC BY-SA 4.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n<p>The biplane layout was kept for the same reason the An-2 has one: lots of wing, low speed, tight turns at the end of every run over a field. And the chemical hoppers were made structural, forming the thick struts between upper and lower wings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"padding-top:22px\">Then it met a spreadsheet<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p>In service the M-15 burned more than three times as much fuel per flying hour as an An-2 or a PZL Dromader. It cost far more to build. It needed more maintenance from rough strips. Its range was half the An-2&rsquo;s. Because the hoppers were structural, it could not be emptied and used to carry anything else, which the An-2 did constantly. And every An-2 pilot who converted to it needed jet training.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Every one of the arguments for a jet crop-duster turned out to be wrong in the field.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\" style=\"margin:0 0 24px;width:100%\"><img data-opt-id=651033755  fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"skip-lazy\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" loading=\"eager\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/ml5psubhxdln.i.optimole.com\/cb:0e0_.b970\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/09\/pzl-m-15-belphegor-szolnok-hungary.jpg\" alt=\"A PZL M-15 Belphegor displayed at Szolnok in Hungary\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;max-width:100%;display:block\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:13px;color:#777;text-align:center;margin-top:6px;font-style:italic\">CCCP-15187 at Szolnok-Szandaszolos in Hungary. Most of the 175 built went to the Soviet Union; a handful survive in museums. Photo: VargaA, CC BY-SA 4.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n<p>The Soviet Union stopped ordering them at the end of the 1970s and production finished in 1981, at 175 aircraft against a plan for up to three thousand.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"padding-top:22px\">About that name<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p>Belphegor is a demon &mdash; in Christian demonology a prince of Hell, associated with sloth and with tempting people through invention. It is a wonderfully apt name for this aircraft, and that is almost certainly not why it got it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Polish accounts credit the test pilot Andrzej Ablamowicz, watching it at the Paris Air Show from the Le Bourget control tower, with coining the nickname &mdash; his reference being the 1965 French television serial <em>Belphegor<\/em>, about a phantom haunting the Louvre.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div style=\"background:#f8f9fa;border-left:4px solid #5C91FF;padding:20px 22px;margin:18px 0 24px;font-size:16px;line-height:1.7\"><em>&ldquo;the Phantom of the Louvre&rdquo;<\/em><div style=\"margin-top:10px;font-size:14px;color:#555\"><strong>Andrzej Ablamowicz<\/strong> &mdash; Polish test pilot, reportedly, on first seeing the M-15 at Le Bourget. Reported in Polish sources; not a traced verbatim quotation<\/div><\/div>\r\n<p>A handful survive: the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow, the PZL Mielec works, the Central Air Force Museum at Monino, and the example above in Hungary. They are worth going to see. Photographs do not really convey it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div style=\"position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;height:0;overflow:hidden;margin:24px 0\"><iframe class=\"skip-lazy\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-3UV1bXtCm8\" style=\"position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\r\n<p>A shorter look at the layout and why it exists:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div style=\"position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;height:0;overflow:hidden;margin:24px 0\"><iframe class=\"skip-lazy\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ooY25f4P3yY\" style=\"position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\r\n<p>And a third take, for completeness:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div style=\"position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;height:0;overflow:hidden;margin:24px 0\"><iframe class=\"skip-lazy\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7e7Wad5gUyM\" style=\"position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\r\n\n<style>.mfq{margin:34px 0 8px}.mfq h2{font:26px\/1.3 \"Gilroy semiBold\",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color:#0d1117;padding-top:22px;margin:0 0 6px}.mfq .qa details{border-top:1px solid #5C91FF;margin:0;padding:0}.mfq .qa details:last-of-type{border-bottom:1px solid #e2e7ee}.mfq .qa summary{cursor:pointer;list-style:none;display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;gap:16px;padding:22px 26px;font:18px\/1.7 \"Gilroy semiBold\",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color:#0d1117}.mfq .qa summary::-webkit-details-marker{display:none}.mfq .qa summary::after{content:\"+\";font:24px Helvetica,sans-serif;color:#3568e0;flex:0 0 auto}.mfq .qa details[open] summary::after{content:\"\\2013\"}.mfq .qa details:hover summary{color:#3568e0}.mfq .qa .a{font:16px\/1.7 \"Gilroy regular\",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color:#454e5e;padding:0 26px 24px}.mfq .qa .a a{color:#3568e0}@media(max-width:680px){.mfq .qa summary{padding:18px 14px;font-size:17px}.mfq .qa .a{padding:0 14px 20px}}<\/style>\n\n\n<section class=\"mfq\"><h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2><div class=\"qa\"><details open><summary>What is the PZL M-15 Belphegor?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">A Polish-built, Soviet-specified agricultural aircraft, and the only jet-powered biplane ever put into series production. It is also the slowest mass-produced jet in history, with a maximum speed of 200 km\/h.<\/div><\/details><details><summary>Why would anyone build a jet crop-duster?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">Aeroflot wanted to standardise on kerosene across its whole fleet rather than keep avgas in the supply chain for tens of thousands of An-2s. The Ivchenko AI-25 turbofan was already everywhere, powering the Yak-40 and L-39, so parts and expertise existed. Turbines were also believed cheaper to maintain. Underneath all that was prestige, and objecting specialists were overruled.<\/div><\/details><details><summary>Why is it a biplane?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">For the same reason the An-2 it replaced is one: lots of wing area, low speed, and tight turns at the end of every run over a field.<\/div><\/details><details><summary>Was the design actually clever?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">In places, yes. The engine sits high to keep it clear of dust and stones from rough strips, its exhaust vents between the twin tail booms so it does not disturb the spray pattern, and compressed air bled from the engine drives the dry-chemical distribution system. The chemical hoppers were also made structural, forming the struts between the wings.<\/div><\/details><details><summary>Why did the M-15 fail?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">Economics. It burned more than three times as much fuel per hour as an An-2, cost far more to build, needed more maintenance, had half the range, could not be emptied and used to carry cargo because the hoppers were structural, and required jet conversion training for every pilot.<\/div><\/details><details><summary>How many were built?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">175, against Soviet plans for up to 3,000. Production ended in 1981.<\/div><\/details><details><summary>Why is it called Belphegor?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">Belphegor is a demon associated with sloth, which is wonderfully apt, but that is probably not the reason. Polish accounts credit the test pilot Andrzej Ablamowicz with coining the nickname while watching it at Le Bourget, referring to the 1965 French television serial about a phantom haunting the Louvre.<\/div><\/details><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is the PZL M-15 Belphegor?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"A Polish-built, Soviet-specified agricultural aircraft, and the only jet-powered biplane ever put into series production. It is also the slowest mass-produced jet in history, with a maximum speed of 200 km\/h.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Why would anyone build a jet crop-duster?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Aeroflot wanted to standardise on kerosene across its whole fleet rather than keep avgas in the supply chain for tens of thousands of An-2s. The Ivchenko AI-25 turbofan was already everywhere, powering the Yak-40 and L-39, so parts and expertise existed. Turbines were also believed cheaper to maintain. Underneath all that was prestige, and objecting specialists were overruled.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Why is it a biplane?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"For the same reason the An-2 it replaced is one: lots of wing area, low speed, and tight turns at the end of every run over a field.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Was the design actually clever?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"In places, yes. The engine sits high to keep it clear of dust and stones from rough strips, its exhaust vents between the twin tail booms so it does not disturb the spray pattern, and compressed air bled from the engine drives the dry-chemical distribution system. The chemical hoppers were also made structural, forming the struts between the wings.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Why did the M-15 fail?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Economics. It burned more than three times as much fuel per hour as an An-2, cost far more to build, needed more maintenance, had half the range, could not be emptied and used to carry cargo because the hoppers were structural, and required jet conversion training for every pilot.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How many were built?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"175, against Soviet plans for up to 3,000. Production ended in 1981.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Why is it called Belphegor?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Belphegor is a demon associated with sloth, which is wonderfully apt, but that is probably not the reason. Polish accounts credit the test pilot Andrzej Ablamowicz with coining the nickname while watching it at Le Bourget, referring to the 1965 French television serial about a phantom haunting the Louvre.\"}}]}<\/script><p><em>Sources: Polish Aviation Museum; samolotypolskie.pl (after Glass, Samoloty PZL 1928-1978); dlapilota.pl; AgAir Update.<\/em><\/p>\n<!-- mfsh:bottom -->\n\n<button type=\"button\" class=\"mfsh-trigger mfsh-bottom\" data-mfsh-placement=\"bottom\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><svg><use href=\"#mfsh-i-share\"\/><\/svg>Share this story<\/button>\n\n<!-- \/mfsh:bottom -->\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div style=\"background:#f0f4ff;border-left:4px solid #5C91FF;padding:16px 20px;margin:32px 0 8px\"><p style=\"margin:0 0 8px;font-weight:600;color:#333\">Related Posts<\/p><p style=\"margin:4px 0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/blohm-voss-bv-141-asymmetric-reconnaissance-aircraft\/\">Blohm &amp; Voss BV 141: The Asymmetric Warplane That Flew Well<\/a><\/p><p style=\"margin:4px 0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/custer-channel-wing\/\">The Custer Channel Wing: The Plane That Flew on Half a Barrel<\/a><\/p><p style=\"margin:4px 0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/sack-as-6-flying-saucer\/\">The Sack AS-6: Nazi Germany&rsquo;s Flying Saucer That Only Ever Hopped<\/a><\/p><\/div>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Soviet Union decided agriculture needed a jet crop-duster, and Poland built it as a biplane. The M-15 Belphegor is the slowest mass-produced jet ever flown.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":19676556,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"editor_notices":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[665,666],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19676930","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aviation-world","category-history-and-legends"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>PZL M-15 Belphegor: The Only Jet-Powered Biplane | MiGFlug<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Soviet Union wanted a jet crop-duster and Poland built it as a biplane. 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