RWD-8
| RWD-8 | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Type: | School , sport and reconnaissance aircraft |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
1933 |
| Production time: |
1933-1938 |
| Number of pieces: |
570-600 |
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The RWD-8 is a Polish multipurpose aircraft of the 1930s and by far the largest number of models built by RWD . In addition to civil and military use in their own country, it was also exported to several countries and built under license in Hungary and Yugoslavia .
development
The RWD-8 was developed from the end of 1931 in the workshops of the Warsaw University of Technology used by RWD . The prototype was completed the following year and made its maiden flight with pilot A. Szarka in 1933, this date being put at the end of 1932 by other sources. A Cirrus Hermes II with 86 kW (117 hp) served as the drive, but it was replaced by other engines in the series models, mainly through the Polish license of the Czech Walter Junior, built by PZL . The tests showed excellent performance and so began at RWD production of the RWD-8 as a sports and training aircraft for the local flying clubs, which ran until 1937 and comprised around 100 pieces. On 24./25. May 1933, the prototype took part in the international Warsaw flight meeting, where the Polish army, which had been looking for a light reconnaissance and liaison aircraft since 1931/32 , became aware of it. The previously designated PZL-5 and PWS-8 models had been rejected by the air forces and so it was now decided to procure the RWD-8 for this role. The subsequently awarded major order, however, by far exceeded the capacities of RWD and so the production license was awarded to PWS in Podlaska , where from 1934 to 1938 the majority of all RWD-8s built, around 500 units, were built, while RWD was in Warsaw continued to produce for the civil sector.
commitment
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In the 1930s, the RWD-8 was a versatile aircraft type in the civilian sector, especially in the flying clubs, which was also often used at flight demonstrations and sporting events. The possible uses in the air force as a trainer, close-up reconnaissance aircraft and liaison pilot were just as varied . After the German invasion of Poland , RWD-8s in their role as a jammer were dropped from hand grenades and other light explosive devices on advancing enemy troops. With the looming Polish defeat, many aircraft were flown over to other countries in order to withdraw them from German access. 57 RWD-8s ended up in Romania and 40 in Hungary. The specimens captured by Germany and the Soviet Union were still used in their air forces as training aircraft.
A well-known use of RWD-8 was made by the Hebrew company Aviron , founded in March 1938 and based in Palestine , which in 1938/39 sold two RWD-13s and one RWD-15 as well as three RWD-8s marked VQ – PAG , VQ– PAK and SP – BLL used for pilot training and to set up a communication network between the remote individual settlements.
construction
The RWD-8 is a stripped high- wing aircraft in composite construction . The fuselage consists of a tubular steel frame with plywood cladding in the upper and front area and fabric covering for the rest. The open pilot cabins are equipped with two seats one behind the other and double controls. The three-part, arrow-shaped wing has two spars, V-struts towards the fuselage and, like the braced normal tail unit, consists of a wooden frame with plywood planking. The wing center section and fuselage are connected to one another in a canopy with I-posts. The oars are covered with fabric. The rigid chassis consists of the hydropneumatic sprung main wheels, which are not connected to an axle, and a grinding spur at the rear.
Military users
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German Empire
- Luftwaffe some copies
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Israel
- Israeli Air Force
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Yugoslavia
- Yugoslav Air Force
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Latvia
- Latvian Air Force 20 copies after the occupation of Poland
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Poland
- Polish Air Force
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Romania
- Romanian Air Force
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Spain
- Spanish Air Force 1 copy
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Hungary
- Royal Hungarian Air Force
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Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data (RWD-8 with PZL Junior ) | Data (RWD-8 with Walter Major ) |
|---|---|---|
| crew | 1-2 | |
| span | 11.00 m | |
| length | 8.00 m | |
| height | 2.30 m | |
| Wing area | 19.50 m² | |
| Wing extension | 6.2 | |
| Empty mass | 500 kg | 480 kg |
| Takeoff mass | 750 kg | |
| Engines | a four-cylinder in-line PZL Junior engine | a four-cylinder in-line engine Walter Major |
| power | 80 kW (109 PS) | 89 kW (121 hp) |
| Top speed | 170 km / h | 175 km / h |
| Cruising speed | 120-140 km / h | k. A. |
| Minimum speed | 80 km / h | k. A. |
| Summit height | 4200 m | 5000 m |
| Range | 435 km | |
literature
- Wilfried Copenhagen , Jochen K. Beeck: The large aircraft type book . Motorbuch, Stuttgart 2005, ISBN 978-3-613-02522-6 , p. 370 .
- Peter All-Fernandez (ed.): Aircraft from A to Z . Aamsa Quail-Consolidated P2Y. tape I . Bernard & Graefe, Koblenz 1987, ISBN 3-7637-5904-2 , p. 255 .
- RWD-8 . In: Fliegerrevue . No. 11/1984 , p. 348 (rubric: Who? When? What?).
