| RWD-11 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| RWD-11 in its initial shape | |
| Role | Feederliner |
| National origin | Poland |
| Manufacturer | Doświadczalne Warsztaty Lotnicze |
| Designer | Stanisław Rogalski, Jerzy Drzewiecki and Stanisław Wigura [1] |
| First flight | February 1936 [1] |
| Number built | 1 [1] |
The RWD-11 was a six-passenger feeder-liner designed and built in Poland from 1932.
In 1932 the Polish ministry of Transport let it be known that they wanted a multi-engined feeder-liner to operate low frequency routes with challenging. Designer Zbysław Ciołkosz was given the task and his design resulted in the PZL.27. In addition to Ciołkosz's design DWL (Doświadczalne Warsztaty Lotnicze) started the design of a competitor, with support promised by the Ministry, hoping that their design would be superior and win orders in place of the officially sanctioned PZL.27.
Two airframes were built, with one intended for static testing, the low-wing cantilever monoplane was of mixed construction with a one-piece two-spar wooden wing, tapering in chord and thickness, covered with plywood forward of the mainspar and the under sides with fabric covering the rest. Four section Handley-Page automatic slats were fitted to the entire leading edges out board of the engine nacelles and differential slotted ailerons at the trailing edges.
The fuselage of the RWD-11 comprised a welded chrome-molybdenum-steel tubing structure, covered with plywood from the nose, aft to the cabin door, with fabric aft of the door to the fabric covered wooden tail-section. The cockpit had excellent visibility for the two pilots who sat side by side forward of the comfortable passenger compartment which seated six in three pairs on adjustable seats, with electric lighting, controlled ventilation and controlled heating from heat exchangers on the engine exhausts. The cabin had a cargo compartment aft of the seats and could be converted to all freight or postal duties. Two retractable main undercarriage legs were fitted with oleo-pneumatic shock-absorbers, medium pressure braked Dunlop wheels, as well as the non-retractable castoring Dowty tailwheel. Provision for fitting a retractable tailwheel undercarriage was also provided.
Two 220–250 hp (160–190 kW) engines were intended to be fitted to the welded steel tube engine nacelles but the prototype was fitted with two 205 hp (153 kW) Walter Major 6 engines, with instruments fitted to the inner sides of the nacelles where they were clearly visible to the flight crew. Two fuel tanks of 140 L (37 US gal; 31 imp gal) each were housed in the wings with oil tanks in the engine nacelles.
Flight trials were relatively successful but no orders were forthcoming, meanwhile several improvements were carried out to the nose, which was elongated, and at a later stage a twin tail was fitted in lieu of the original single tail. During flight trials it was noticed that the RWD-11 was prone to wing flutter which built up gradually as speed increased, giving plenty of warning, so the RWD 11 was fitted with a rudimentary vibration recorder using a modified phonograph recorder, for research into flutter. At the time of the German invasion of Poland in September 1939 the RWD-11 was in use as an executive aircraft for the company, but suffered a collapsed undercarriage during taxiing, being left behind for capture by German forces. The RWD-11 was sent to Germany and was seen later near Berlin in German markings but did not survive World War II.
Data from Polish Aircraft 1893–1939, [1] Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1937, [2] Polskie konstrukcje lotnicze 1893-1939 [3]
General characteristics
Performance
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
The RWD 8 was a Polish parasol wing monoplane trainer aircraft produced by RWD. It was used from 1934 to 1939 by the Polish Air Force and civilian aviation.
The LWS-2 was the Polish air ambulance aircraft prototype, designed in the late-1930s in the LWS factory.
The RWD-10 was a Polish aerobatics sports plane, single-seat parasol wing monoplane, used from 1933 to 1939 and constructed by the RWD team.
The RWD 17 was a Polish aerobatics-trainer aircraft of 1937, parasol wing monoplane, constructed by the RWD team.
The RWD 9 was a Polish sports plane of 1934, constructed by the RWD team.
The PZL.38 Wilk (wolf) (PZL-38) was a Polish heavy fighter developed and manufactured by PZL state factory in 1937. Intended for use primarily as a fighter-bomber, the Polish Air Force also envisioned it replacing light fighters in long-range operations, along with being able to serve as a light bomber. Only two examples were built before the project was cancelled in favor of a planned improved variant, the PZL.48 Lampart.
The RWD-15 was a Polish touring aircraft of 1937, designed by the RWD team and built by the Doświadczalne Warsztaty Lotnicze (DWL).
The PWS-33 Wyżeł was a Polish twin-engined military trainer aircraft from a period before World War II constructed by Podlaska Wytwórnia Samolotów or PWS. Although destined for production it got no further than the prototypes before Poland was invaded.
The PWS-19 was a Polish reconnaissance and bomber plane prototype of the 1930s, constructed in the PWS.
PZL.19 was a Polish sports aircraft built in 1932 in the PZL works. Ordered by the Ministry of Communications, it was specifically designed for the upcoming Challenge 1932 contest held that year in Germany.
The PZL.44 Wicher (gale) was a prototype of 14-seat, twin-engine Polish airliner, built in the Państwowe Zakłady Lotnicze (PZL) in 1938. It was to compete with the DC-2 and Lockheed Super Electra.
The PZL.48 Lampart (leopard) was a Polish heavy fighter-bomber design, that remained only a project, owing to the outbreak of World War II.
The RWD-16 was a Polish two-seat low-wing sports plane of 1936, constructed by the RWD team, that remained a prototype.
The RWD 16bis and RWD 21 were Polish two-seat low-wing touring and sports planes of the late 1930s, constructed by the RWD bureau, sharing the same construction, main difference of the RWD 21 being a stronger engine.
The RWD-19 was a Polish two-seat low-wing sports aircraft of 1938, constructed by the RWD bureau.
The PWS-52 was a Polish sports aircraft of 1930, a single-engine high-wing monoplane, constructed by the Podlaska Wytwórnia Samolotów (PWS), that remained a prototype.
The PWS-11 was a Polish aerobatic and trainer aircraft, developed in 1928-1929 by PWS, which remained a prototype.
The PWS 3 was a Polish sport aircraft, developed in 1927 by PWS, which remained a prototype.
The P.Z.L. 27 was a prototype airliner/mail plane designed by Zbysław Ciołkosz and constructed at P.Z.L. in 1933.
The PZL.45 Sokół (falcon) was a Polish prototype fighter designed by PZL from 1936–1939. Work commenced on the aircraft in the late 1936 based on earlier light fighters.
