RWD 3
RWD · Poland · first flew 1930 · light aircraft
The RWD 3 was a Polish sports and liaison aircraft prototype of 1930. It was a single-engine high-wing monoplane built by the RWD team.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Rectangular fuselage, triangular in its upper part, with a thin profile ahead of the pilot |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- High-wing cantilever monoplane with wings that fold rearwards
- Rectangular fuselage, triangular in its upper part, with a thin profile ahead of the pilot
- Five-cylinder radial engine in the nose driving a two-blade wooden propeller
Look for a high-wing monoplane with a fish-shaped fuselage, a radial engine in the nose and a rear skid undercarriage.
Specifications
- The RWD 3 has a length of 7 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.5 m (34 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 170 km/h (106 mph).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The RWD team of Rogalski, Wigura and Drzewiecki built it as an enlarged development of the RWD 2, after the Polish Ministry of Defence asked for a liaison aircraft in 1929. Jerzy Drzewiecki flew the flying prototype in April 1930.
Variants
Only one flying prototype was built, alongside one airframe for ground trials. The related RWD 4 shared many features but had an inline engine and no folding wings.
Where you'll see it
It proved unsatisfactory as a liaison aircraft and was handed to the Academic Aero Club in Warsaw as SP-WAA. It was used for training and in some competitions.
Related aircraft
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