PWS-26
PWS · Poland · first flew 1935 · light aircraft
The PWS-26 was a Polish single-engine primary trainer biplane produced by the Podlaska Aircraft Factory in 1935, which became the standard elementary trainer of the Polish Air Force in the final years before World War II.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.03 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Polish interwar primary trainer biplane
- Open tandem cockpit sesquiplane
- Standard Polish Air Force elementary trainer pre-1939
A conventional open-cockpit biplane with tandem seating, straight wings, and a radial engine. Very similar in appearance to other contemporary European primary trainers; Polish roundels are the best distinguishing feature.
Specifications
- The PWS-26 has a length of 7.03 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9 m (30 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 201 km/h (125 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed to replace older trainer types, the PWS-26 entered service with Polish flying schools in 1935 and trained hundreds of pilots before the German and Soviet invasions of September 1939. Some aircraft escaped to Romania and subsequently to France and the UK, where Polish pilots continued to use training aircraft.
Variants
The PWS-26 was a straightforward single variant with minor equipment differences between aircraft.
Where you'll see it
Standard elementary trainer of the Polish Air Force 1935–1939; used at flying schools across Poland and subsequently by Polish squadrons in exile.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.