RWD-14
| RWD-14 Czapla | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Type: | Reconnaissance plane |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
1935 |
| Commissioning: |
1938 |
| Production time: |
1938-1939 |
| Number of pieces: |
65 |
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The Polish RWD-14 Czapla (Heron) was a reconnaissance aircraft during the Second World War .
development
In the first half of the 1930s, the Polish Ministry of Defense issued a demand for a scout to replace the Lublin R-XIII . RWD proposed a further development of the RWD-12 and was awarded the contract to build three prototypes. The first flew in 1935, but the Pratt & Whitney R-985 used turned out to be too weak.
The following two machines received two native PZL G-1620A Mors I engines and the designation RWD-14a . They were tested in 1936 and 1937, but both crashed due to design errors in the tail unit .
After some improvements to the tail section, the last prototype RWD-14b with the more powerful PZL G-1620B Mors II drive flew for the first time at the end of 1937. The Polish authorities were satisfied with its performance and placed a series order for 65 Czapla. Production began in mid-1938 and ended in February 1939. The aircraft were assigned to Reconnaissance Squadrons 13, 23, 33, 53 and 63. During the German attack on Poland , the majority were destroyed in the fighting, only about 10 aircraft were able to escape access by fleeing to Romania .
construction
The RWD-14 was a stripped high- wing aircraft in composite construction. The fuselage consisted of a tubular steel frame with fabric covering. The bow section was clad with sheet metal. The wing consisted of a fabric-covered wooden frame and had automatic slats . The wings could be folded back to save space. The fuselage and wings were connected by N and V struts. The horizontal stabilizer was also made of wood and was braced with I-stems. The RWD-14 had a rigid rear wheel landing gear, with the rear wheel being encased with a streamlined fairing.
Military users
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data (RWD-14b) |
|---|---|
| crew | 2 (pilot, observer) |
| length | 9.00 m |
| span | 11.90 m |
| height | 3.00 m |
| Wing area | 22.00 m² |
| Wing extension | 6.4 |
| Empty mass | 1225 kg |
| Takeoff mass | 1700 kg |
| drive | 1 × radial engine PZL G-1620B Mors II with 346 kW (470 PS) |
| Top speed | 245 km / h near the ground |
| Service ceiling | 5000 m |
| Climb performance | 6.1 m / s |
| Range | normal 580 km maximum 675 km |
| Armament | two (?) 7.7 mm MG |