| RWD-14b Czapla | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | reconnaissance andliaison aircraft |
| Manufacturer | DWL,LWS |
| Primary users | Polish Air Force |
| Number built | 65 (+4 prototypes) |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1938–1939 |
| Introduction date | 1939 |
| First flight | 1936 |
TheRWD-14 Czapla (LWS Czapla) was a Polisharmy cooperation aircraft (observation, closereconnaissance andliaison aircraft), designed in the mid-1930s by theRWD team, and produced in theLWS factory from 1938. A series of 65 aircraft were built and most were used by the Polish Air Force observation squadrons duringWorld War II in 1939.
The aircraft was designed in response to aPolish Air Force requirement of1933 for a new army cooperation plane, a successor of theLublin R-XIII. TheRWD team of the DWL workshops (Doświadczalne Warsztaty Lotnicze) initially proposed theRWD-12 project, based on theRWD-8 trainer. It was however considered as not as good as the R-XIII, and was not built. Another aircraft, theRWD-14 was designed byStanislaw Rogalski andJerzy Drzewiecki instead.[1] DesignerTadeusz Chyliński prepared its technical documentation.[2]
The first prototype was flown in early1936 (according to newest research, earlier given date December 1935 is wrong).[3] It won the contest over the Lublin R-XXI project and thePWS factory project, but factory trials showed that its performance was still not satisfactory. In1937 two modified prototypes were built, designatedRWD-14a, but both crashed during trials that year due to steering mechanism faults (the pilots survived).[1] Finally, in early1938 the fourth improved prototype, designatedRWD-14b, was built. After successful trials it was ordered by thePolish Air Force, receiving the nameCzapla (Polish:heron), but due to a long development process, it was regarded as only an interim model, to replace the R-XIII until the advent of the more modernLWS-3 Mewa. In return for refunding the development costs, the DWL gave the rights to produce the RWD-14b to the state factoryLWS (Lubelska Wytwórnia Samolotów –Lublin Aircraft Works, a successor of thePlage i Laśkiewicz).[1]
The LWS built a series of 65 RWD-14b Czapla by February1939. They were also known under a military designationLWS Czapla.[4]
The Czapla entered service in the Polish Air Force in the spring of 1939, equipping some observation squadrons (eskadra obserwacyjna). Due to its long development, it was not a modern aircraft, only a little better than theLublin R-XIII. Its advantage was its short take-off (140 m) and landing (120 m), enabling it to operate from fields and meadows.[1] Its modern successor, theLWS-3 Mewa, did not manage to enter operational units due to the war.[5]
By theinvasion of Poland in 1939, thePolish Air Force had 35 Czaplas in five observation squadrons (out of twelve): No.'s 13, 23, 33, 53 and 63, each with seven aircraft.[1] Squadrons were distributed among the field Armies. The remaining 30 Czaplas were initially in reserve. Several were used to supplement the combat units during the campaign (the mentioned squadrons and several others). In total, 49 Czaplas were used in units.[4] Like the R-XIII, the Czapla was no match for anyLuftwaffefighter,bomber, or evenreconnaissance aircraft, being much slower, and armed with only two machine guns. In spite of this, they were actively used for closereconnaissance andliaison tasks.[4]
Most – 35 RWD-14b were destroyed during the campaign.[4] At least 14 were withdrawn toRomania (the sources quote numbers from 14 to 17).[4] They were taken over by theRomanian Air Force and used for training and auxiliary duties. Several aircraft were captured in Poland by the Germans or the Soviets, but were not used by them. No RWD-14b has survived.[4]
Mixed construction bracedparasol high-wingmonoplane, conventional in layout. A fuselage of a metal and wooden frame, covered withcanvas. Wooden two-spar wings, canvas- and plywood-covered, fitted withslats. Wings were folding rearwards (width with folded wings: 3.9 m).[1] Stabilizers of wooden construction. Conventional fixedlanding gear, with a rear wheel. Crew of two, sitting intandem in opencockpits, with twin controls and individual windshields. The observer had a 7.7 mmVickers Kmachine gun, the pilot had a fixed 7.92 mmwz.33 machine gun with aninterrupter gear.[1] 9-cylinder air-cooledradial enginePZL G-1620B Mors-II with 430 hp (320 kW) nominal power and 470 hp (350 kW) take-off power.[1] Two-blade woodenpropeller. A fuel tank with a capacity of 315 litres in the fuselage, dropped in emergency.[1][4] The aircraft could be fitted withradio N2L/T andcamera.[4]
Data from Polish Aircraft 1893–1939[6]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
