RWD-17

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The RWD-17 was a Polish aerobatics-trainer aircraft of 1937, constructed by the RWD team.

Contents 1 Development 2 Description 3 Usage 4 Military Operators 5 Specifications (RWD-17) 6 Related content

[edit] Development

The aircraft was designed as an interim trainer aircraft between primary trainer RWD-8 and single-seater aircraft, demanding higher skills, like RWD-10. It was also fitted to aerobatics. The construction of the new plane was similar to the RWD-8, but almost all parts were newly designed. The works started in 1936 and the main designer was Bronisław Żurakowski of the RWD bureau. The first prototype (registration SP-BMX) was flown in August 1937. After state trials in 1937, it was accepted for production, and in 1938 there was produced a short series of RWD-17 (according to a Polish registry, there were 23 serial RWD-17, carrying registrations SP: -BNZ, BOA-BOJ, BOL-BOZ).

In early 1938, there was designed a floatplane variant RWD-17W, differing among others in a stronger radial engine Bramo Sh-14a 160 hp. It had interchangeable floats or land undercarriage. When on floats, a bigger tailfin was mounted. The prototype was flown with land undercarriage in June 1938, then tested on floats. Next, there were ordered 5 RWD-17Ws for the Polish Naval Aviation Squadron (MDLot) in Puck as trainers. They were built in 1939.

In early 1939 there was developed a new wing for the RWD-17, with thinner profile and narrowing wingtips. It gave better aerobatics capability. Because of problems with its counterpart PWS-35, the Polish Air Force got interested in the modified RWD-17 as a successor of the PWS-26 intermediate trainer. There were plans to order 50-120 aircraft, with a likely designation RWD-17bis, but they were not built due to outbreak of the war.

[edit] Description

Mixed construction (steel and wood) trainer plane, conventional in layout, with braced high-wings, canvas and plywood covered, with open cockpit. Crew of two, sitting in tandem, with twin controls. RWD-17 had 4 cylinder air-cooled inline engine PZInż. Junior 4 (licence built Walter Junior 4), 120 hp power and 130 hp take-off power. RWD-17W had 7-cylinder radial engine Bramo Sh-14a, 160 hp take-off power. Two-blade wooden propeller. Conventional landing gear, with a rear wheel, or floats (RWD-17W). Fuel tank in a fuselage: 111 l.

[edit] Usage

RWD-17 were used in Polish civilian aviation - in aeroclubs and an aviation school in Swidnik before the World War II. During the Invasion of Poland 1939, 8 of them, including a prototype, were evacuated to Romania. Reportedly, 2 were evacuated to Latvia. One RWD-17 was used by the 56th Observation Escadre as a liaison plane, it crashed on September 12.

Apart from the prototype RWD-17W, carrying civilian registration SP-BPB, there were produced 5 RWD-17W floatplanes, but none were delivered to the Polish Naval Aviation Squadron before the war. The prototype was kept camouflaged in forest on Hel Peninsula during its siege. It was crashed in the sea near peninsula on August 30, due to an engine fault, during an attempt to evacuate to Sweden (the crew was saved). Three other RWD-17W, being in a factory in Warsaw, with land undercarriage, were evacuated to Romania, while remaining two were used as liaison planes.

In Romania RWD-17s were used until late 1940s. None returned to Poland after the war, and none have survived to today.

[edit] Military Operators

• Poland
• Romania

[edit] Specifications (RWD-17)

General characteristics

• Crew: Two (student and instructor)
• Length: 7.7 m (25 ft 3 in)
• Wingspan: 10.0 m (32 ft 10 in)
• Height: 2.45 m (8 ft)
• Wing area: 18.70 m² (201.2 ft²)
• Empty weight: 520 kg (1,144 lb)
• Loaded weight: 760 kg (1,672 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 810 kg (1,782 lb)
• Powerplant: 1× PZInz.. Junior , 97 kW (130 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 195 km/h (121 mph)
• Range: 680 km (422 miles)
• Service ceiling: 5,000 m (16,400 ft)
• Rate of climb: 270 m/min (885 ft/min)
• Wing loading: 40.5 kg/m² (8.3 lb/ft²)

[edit] Related content

Related development

• RWD-8
• RWD-10

Designation sequence

RWD-14 - RWD-15 - RWD-16 - RWD-17 - RWD-18 - RWD-19 - RWD-20