RWD-3

Maximum speed: 170 km/h ( mph)
Range: km ( miles)
Service ceiling: m ( ft)
Rate of climb: m/s
Wing loading: 37 kg/m² ( lb/ft²)
Power/mass: kW/kg, hp/lb

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The RWD-3 was a Polish sports plane and liaison plane prototype of 1930, constructed by the RWD team.

1 Development
2 Description
3 Specifications
- 3.1 General characteristics
- 3.2 Performance
4 Related content

[edit] Development

The RWD-3 was constructed by the RWD team of Stanislaw Rogalski, Stanislaw Wigura and Jerzy Drzewiecki in Warsaw. Since their earlier design RWD-2 sportsplane appeared quite successful, in 1929 Polish Military of Defence ordered its enlarged variant as a liaison plane. It retained the same fish-shaped fuselage without a direct view towards forward from the pilot's seat, though the view improved due to thin fuselage profile before the pilot. At the same time, the RWD developed similar enlarged sportsplane, the RWD-4, which shared many features with the RWD-3, but was powered with an inline engine and had not folding wings.

There was built one prototype for ground trials and one flying prototype. It was completed and flown by the designer Jerzy Drzewiecki in April 1930. Since it was not satisfactory as a liaison plane, it was next given to the sports aviation - Academic Aeroclub in Warsaw, with registration SP-WAA. It was used for training and in some competitions. Contrary to the RWD-3, the RWD-4 appeared more successful.

[edit] Description

Wooden construction liaison and sports plane, conventional in layout, with high-wings, canvas and plywood covered. Wings were folding rearwards, which was a difference comparing with other early RWDs. Crew of two, sitting in tandem. The crew cabs were open on the sides in upper part, they had individual doors on the right side. 5-cylinder air-cooled radial engine Armstrong Siddeley Genet 80 hp nominal power and 88 hp take-off power. Two-blade wooden propeller. Conventional landing gear, with a rear skid. Fuel tank in wing.