RWD 9
Doświadczalne Warsztaty Lotnicze · Poland · first flew 1933 · light aircraft
The RWD 9 was a Polish single-engine low-wing monoplane designed by the RWD partnership (Rogalski, Wigura, Drzewiecki) for the 1934 Challenge International de Tourisme, a European air race that required a combination of speed, handling, and load-carrying. It represented the peak of Polish civilian aircraft design of the interwar period.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.6 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Polish low-wing monoplane built for long-distance racing and record flights
- Sleek aerodynamic form designed for the Challenge International de Tourisme
- RWD design by Rogalski, Wigura, and Drzewiecki — Polish aviation pioneers
A clean low-wing monoplane with tapered wings, an enclosed two-seat cabin with good forward visibility, and a smooth cowled engine — the purposeful look of a serious 1930s air-race contender.
Specifications
- The RWD 9 has a length of 7.6 m (25 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.64 m (38 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 280 km/h (174 mph).
- Typical crew: 1–2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The RWD team had previously won the 1932 Challenge with the RWD 6, and the RWD 9 was designed to repeat that success. Polish aviation was at its zenith in the early 1930s, with RWD aircraft competing on equal terms with major European manufacturers. The RWD 9 achieved respectable results in 1934.
Variants
The RWD 9 was specifically a racing/touring aircraft; other RWD models (RWD 13, RWD 17) formed parallel lines for different purposes.
Where you'll see it
Used for competition flying and record attempts; not a military aircraft, though Poland's military aviation establishment was closely connected to the civilian industry.
Related aircraft
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