PWS-24
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| PWS-24 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Passenger aircraft |
| Manufacturer | PWS |
| Maiden flight | August 1931 |
| Primary user | Polish civilian aviation |
| Produced | 1933-1935 |
| Number built | 11 |
The PWS-24 was a Polish 6-seater passenger aircraft, used from 1933 to 1933 by the LOT Polish Airlines. It was the only aircraft of domestic design used by the LOT before the war.
Contents |
[edit] Development
The aircraft was a development of an unsuccessful PWS-21, utilizing its wing of light construction. A fuselage and stabilizers were new. The main designer was Stanisław Cywiński.
The prototype (markings SP-AGR) first flew in August 1931 in Biała Podlaska. After trials and some modifications, it won a contest for a successor of Junkers F-13 in LOT airlines, against Lublin R-XVI. In June 1932 it took the first place in a passenger aircraft race at the international air meeting in Warsaw.
Polish Ministry of Communication ordered a series of 5 aircraft for the LOT airlines, built in 1933 (markings: SP-AJF, -AJG, -AJH, -AJJ, -AJK).
In 1932, a prototype was fitted with stronger engine Lorraine Algol (300 hp), instead of Wright Whirlwind J5 (240 hp). Then, it was tested with Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior (400 hp) engine. Maximum speed raised from 185 to 225 km/h, comparing with basic variant.
In 1934 a production of further 5 aircraft started, with Wasp Junior engines, designated PWS-24bis (markings: SP-AMN, -AMO, -AMP, -AMR, -AMS). Also one PWS-24 was converted to PWS-24bis (SP-ASY, ex. -AJH).
[edit] Usage
PWS-24 were put into use in LOT Polish Airlines from May 1, 1933 on domestic lines. Their flight characteristics and durability proved however worse, than of single engine Fokker F.VIIa/1m, used by LOT, so their service was not long. In 1935 three PWS-24 (SP-AGR, -AJF, -AJJ) were converted to aerial photography variant, but in 1936 four PWS-24 were broken up. The last SP-AJJ was broken up in 1938.
In 1935 PWS-24bis entered service in LOT. They were used there however only until 1936. PWS-24bis SP-AMR was sold to the Polish Air Force and used as staff machine. SP-ASY and -AMN were broken up in 1936-1937, SP-AMO was crashed at that time during tests.
The remaining two PWS-24bis (SP-AMP and-AMS) were converted to aerial photography in 1936 and used by the outbreak of World War II in September 1939. After the German invasion, SP-AMP was damaged, while SP-AMS was evacuated to Romania, where it was taken over by the Romanian aviation and used by them to aerial photography.
[edit] Description
Mixed construction passenger high-wing cantilever monoplane, with closed cab. A fuselage of a metal frame, covered with canvas on a wooden frame. Two-spar elliptical wings, of wooden construction, canvas and plywood covered. A passenger cabin in a fuselage, with a pair of doors. Crew of two, with double controls. Two-blade metal propeller. Conventional landing gear, with a rear skid. Fuel tanks 260 l in wings.
Engine:
- PWS-24 - 9 cylinder air-cooled radial engine Wright Whirlwind J-5 (240 hp take-off power, 220 hp nominal power)
- PWS-24bis - 9 cylinder air-cooled radial engine Pratt and Whitney Wasp Junior TB (420 hp take-off power, 400 hp nominal power)
General characteristics
- Crew: 2, pilot and mechanic
- Capacity: 4
- Length: 9.65 m ()
- Wingspan: 15 m ()
- Height: 2.95 m ()
- Wing area: 31.75 m² (ft²)
- Empty weight: 1220 kg ()
- Loaded weight: 2000 kg ()
- Useful load: 780 kg ()
- Powerplant: 1× Pratt and Whitney Wasp Junior TB air-cooled 9-cylinder radial, 420 hp ()
Performance
- Maximum speed: 225 km/h
- Cruise speed: 180 km/h
- Stall speed: <90 km/h ()
- Range: 700 km ()
- Service ceiling: 5,000 m ()
- Rate of climb: 4.2 m/s ()
- Wing loading: 63 kg/m² ()
Related development
PWS-21
Comparable aircraft
PWS-54 - Lublin R-XVI
Designation sequence
PWS-18 - PWS-19 - PWS-20 - PWS-21 - PWS-24 - PWS-26 - PWS-33 - PWS-35 - PWS-40
Timeline of aviation
Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines
Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft
Notable military accidents and incidents · Notable airline accidents and incidents · Famous aviation-related deaths
Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft
[edit] References
- Andrzej Glass: "Polskie konstrukcje lotnicze 1893-1939" (Polish aviation constructions 1893-1939), WKiŁ, Warsaw 1977 (Polish language, no ISBN)
