| PWS-24 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Passenger aircraft |
| Manufacturer | PWS |
| Primary user | Polish civilian aviation (LOT Polish Airlines) |
| Number built | 11 |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1933-1935 |
| Introduction date | 1933 |
| First flight | August1931 |
ThePWS-24 was a Polish single-engine passenger aircraft for 4 passengers, built inPWS factory, used from1933 to1936 byLOT Polish Airlines. In spite of its limited capacity, it was the only series-built airliner of domestic design ever used by the LOT.[1]
The aircraft was a development of an unsuccessfulPWS-21, utilizing its lightweight construction wing (weight 300 kg). A fuselage and stabilizers were new. The main designer was Stanisław Cywiński. The prototype (markings SP-AGR) first flew in August1931 inBiała Podlaska. After trials and some modifications, it won a Ministry of Communication's contest for a successor ofJunkers F-13 in LOT airlines, againstLublin 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 LOT airlines, built in1933 (markings: SP-AJF, -AJG, -AJH, -AJJ, -AJK). In 1932, the prototype SP-AGR was fitted with a more powerful engine, the 300 hpLorraine Algol, instead of the 240 hpWright Whirlwind J-5. It was later tested with a 400 hpPratt & Whitney Wasp Junior engine. Maximum speed improved from 185 to 225 km/h, comparing with the basic variant.
In1934 a production of further 5 aircraft started, with Wasp Junior engines, designatedPWS-24bis (markings: SP-AMN, -AMO, -AMP, -AMR, -AMS). Also one PWS-24 was converted to PWS-24bis (SP-ASY, ex. SP-AJH).
PWS-24 were put into use inLOT Polish Airlines from May 1, 1933 on domestic lines. Their flight characteristics and durability proved however worse, than of single-enginedFokker F.VIIa/1m, used by LOT, so their service was not long. In1935 three PWS-24 (SP-AGR, -AJF, -AJJ) were converted toaerial photography variant, but in1936 four PWS-24s were broken up. The last, SP-AJJ, was broken up in1938.
PWS-24bis entered service in LOT in 1935. They were used there however only until1936. PWS-24bis SP-AMR was sold in April 1935 to thePolish Air Force and used as a staff machine. It had a slight accident and compulsory landing on 27 April 1935,[2] its further fate is not known. SP-ASY and -AMN were broken up in 1936-1937. SP-AMO was sold in 1936 toMaritime and Colonial League paramilitary organization and soon crashed in July 1936 during testing of a new variable-pitch propeller.[2]
The remaining two PWS-24bis (SP-AMP and-AMS) were converted to aerial photography in 1936 and used until the outbreak ofWorld War II in September1939. After theGerman invasion, SP-AMP was damaged during bombing, while SP-AMS was evacuated toRomania, where it was seized by Romanian government in February 1940 and later used by theLARES line to aerial photography.[3] It was broken up after an accident 8 September 1940.[3]
High-wing cantilevermonoplane of mixed construction, with closed cab and single engine. A fuselage of a steel frame, covered withcanvas on a wooden frame. Straight one-piece wooden wing, with elliptical endings, two-spar, plywood covered. Tailfins of steel frame, canvas covered. Crew of two (pilot and mechanic), in a cab before the wing, with twin controls. Next and below in a fuselage, under the wing, there was a cabin for 4 passengers, with wide rectangular windows and a door on the left side. Radial engine in fuselage front, fitted with aTownend ring. Two-blade metal propeller of variable pitch. Conventional fixedlanding gear, with a rear skid; struts with shock absorbers joined the main gear with wings. Fuel tanks 260 L in central wing section (cruise consumption 50-58 L/h in PWS-24, 95 L/h in PWS-24bis).
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