LWS-2

Maximum speed: 206 km/h (128 mph)
Range: 500 km (312 miles)
Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,120 ft)
Rate of climb: 228 m/min (747 ft/min)
Wing loading: 76 kg/m² (16 lb/ft²)
Power/mass: 0.11 kW/kg (0.06 hp/lb)

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The LWS-2 Mewa was the Polish air ambulance aircraft prototype, designed in the late-1930s in the LWS factory (Lublin Aircraft Factory).

[edit] Development

The LWS-2 was designed as a light ambulance aircraft, for a requirement of the Polish Air Force and the Polish Red Cross (PCK), which was operating military ambulances. A preliminary design was made in 1936 by Zbyslaw Ciolkosz, the main designer of the LWS factory. It was influenced by RWD-9 and RWD-13 planes of the RWD team, especially their wing construction with rich wing mechanization, what gave it STOL capabilities. The prototype, registration SP-ATP, was flown in autumn of 1937. It was built of the PCK funds. On May 19, 1938, it was given to the Air Force.

On July 1–July 4, 1938, the LWS-2 prototype took part in an International Ambulance Aircraft Contest in Esch in Luxembourg, and won first place and a cup for the best accommodation of a cab for injured.

The Polish Red Cross ordered six aircraft, but the LWS factory was busy at that time with military production (RWD-14 Czapla and LWS-3 Mewa), and they were not built by the war. The prototype was later used by the Polish aviation. Its fate during the World War II is not clear, damaged plane was captured by Germans on airfield at Krosno.

The LWS next design, LWS-3 Mewa reconnaissance plane, utilized many features of the LWS-2, and was similar.

[edit] Description

Mixed construction (steel and wood) plane, conventional in layout, with braced high-wings, canvas and plywood covered. Wings with slats and flaps. Conventional fixed landing gear, with a rear skid. Crew of four in a closed cockpit: a pilot in front, a doctor behind him, and two lying on stretchers at the back. It had a 9 cylinder air-cooled radial engine Avia-Wright Whirlwind J5 with 220 hp (164 kW) nominal power and 240 hp (179 kW) take-off power. Two-blade metal propeller. Fuel tank 130 liters behind engine.