# RWD 5

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{{Short description|Polish touring and sports plane of 1931}}
<!-- This article is a part of Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft. Please see Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout. -->
{{Infobox aircraft 
|name =RWD 5
|image =RWD 5 SP-AGJ.jpg
|caption =RWD 5 SP-AGJ
|type =Sports plane 
|manufacturer =[DWL](/source/Do%C5%9Bwiadczalne_Warsztaty_Lotnicze)
|designer = [RWD](/source/RWD_(aircraft_manufacturer)) team
|first_flight =7 August 1931
|introduction =[1931](/source/1931_in_aviation)
|retired =[1939](/source/1939_in_aviation)
|status = 
|primary_user =Poland 
|more_users = 
|produced =1931–1937
|number_built =20
|unit cost = 
|variants = 
}}
The '''RWD 5''' was a Polish touring and sports plane of [1931](/source/1931_in_aviation), a two-seat high-wing monoplane, constructed by the [RWD](/source/RWD_(aircraft_manufacturer)) team. It was made famous by its [transatlantic flight](/source/transatlantic_flight), being the smallest aircraft to cross the Atlantic.<ref name=glass/>

==Development==
The RWD 5 was constructed by the RWD team of [Stanisław Rogalski](/source/Stanis%C5%82aw_Rogalski), [Stanisław Wigura](/source/Stanis%C5%82aw_Wigura) and [Jerzy Drzewiecki](/source/Jerzy_Drzewiecki) (their designs were named RWD after their initial letters). It was a further development of earlier RWD aircraft series ([RWD 1](/source/RWD_1), [RWD 2](/source/RWD_2), [RWD 3](/source/RWD_3) and [RWD 7](/source/RWD_7)), especially of its direct predecessor, the [RWD 4](/source/RWD_4). It shared the same wing shape and construction, while the fuselage was totally new, constructed of steel frame, unlike its wooden predecessors. The fuselage had a modern shape and a closed [canopy](/source/Aircraft_canopy) with panoramic windows (earlier models had atypical fish-shaped fuselages with no direct forward view from the pilot's seat).

The first prototype (registration SP-AGJ) was flown on 7 August 1931 by its designer Jerzy Drzewiecki. It was built in new workshops of [Warsaw University of Technology](/source/Warsaw_University_of_Technology) near [Okęcie](/source/Ok%C4%99cie) airport, from 1933 converted to ''[Doświadczalne Warsztaty Lotnicze](/source/Do%C5%9Bwiadczalne_Warsztaty_Lotnicze)'' (DWL) company.

After successes of the prototype in air competitions, a small-scale series production was set up, mostly for the [Polish Aero Club](/source/Polish_Aero_Club). Series aircraft had improved landing gear. Two were built in [1932](/source/1932_in_aviation) (registration SP-AJA and AJB), five in [1933](/source/1933_in_aviation) (including the single-seater RWD 5bis), eleven in [1934](/source/1934_in_aviation) (including one in Aero Club workshops in Lublin) and one more in [1937](/source/1937_in_aviation) (SP-BGX), for a total of 20 aircraft.<ref name=glass/> In 1932, the RWD 5 was shown at the International Air Show in Paris.

==Service==
thumb|Refuelling during 4th Domestic Touring Aircraft Contest
RWD 5s were mostly used as trainers and sport planes by Polish regional [aero clubs](/source/Polish_Aero_Club). They scored good results in local competitions, starting from 1931, when the prototype won the 3rd South-Western Poland Flight (pilot M. Pronaszko) and the 4th Domestic Touring Aircraft Contest (pilot [Franciszek Żwirko](/source/Franciszek_%C5%BBwirko)). As sport and touring planes, they were later superseded by the [RWD 13](/source/RWD_13), and were relegated mostly for training. Three were written off before 1939.

One aircraft was used by [LOT Polish Airlines](/source/LOT_Polish_Airlines) in 1933–1936 for taxi flights (registration SP-LOT), one by [LOPP](/source/LOPP) organization (SP-LOP). After the outbreak of World War II, during the Polish [September Campaign](/source/September_Campaign), at least three RWD 5 were utilized as [liaison aircraft](/source/liaison_aircraft) by the [Polish Air Force](/source/Polish_Air_Force) (SP-ALR, ALX, ALZ).<ref name=morg>{{cite book |last1=Morgała|first1=Andrzej|date= 2003|title=Samoloty wojskowe w Polsce 1924–1939|trans-title= Military aircraft in Poland 1924–1939|language= pl|location=Warsaw |publisher= Bellona|isbn=83-11-09319-9|pages=315–316}}</ref> Also, Maj. E. Wyrwicki flew RWD 5 from Romania to besieged Warsaw<ref name=glass/> (according to other sources, he flew RWD-5 SP-AJB from Warsaw<ref name=morg/>). None of the RWD 5s survived the war.

One RWD 5 was sold to Brazil in 1938 (former SP-LO, removed from the Polish registry on 4 December 1936) and registered there as PP-TDX in 1939. Its airworthiness expired in 1943.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.samoloty.ow.pl/str356.htm|last=Stefanicki|first=Maciej|title=Samoloty RWD w Brazylii, Izraelu i USA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070709054823/http://www.samoloty.ow.pl/str356.htm|archive-date=2007-07-09|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In late 1990s, a flying replica of the RWD 5, named RWD 5R, was built in Poland by EEA991 association. It flew first on 26 August 2000,<ref>Marcin Sigmund (2018): ''Na przekór przeciwnościom'', "Skrzydlata Polska" nr 8(2466)/2018, p.44-45 (in Polish)</ref> and is powered with 140&nbsp;hp LOM Praha [Avia M-332](/source/Avia_M_337) engine (registration SP-LOT).

==The flight across the Atlantic==
thumb|Single-seater record version RWD 5bis SP-AJU 
In March [1933](/source/1933_in_aviation) a special single-seater variant was built, called '''RWD 5bis''' (registration SP-AJU), powered with a 130&nbsp;hp [Gipsy Major](/source/de_Havilland_Gipsy_Major) engine. The rear cabin was replaced with an additional 300 L (79 US gal) fuel tank, and the windows were removed. Additional fuel tanks were added in wings, the fuel capacity reached 752 L (199 US gal) in total and the range increased to {{convert|5,000|km|mi|abbr=on}}. [Stanisław Skarżyński](/source/Stanis%C5%82aw_Skar%C5%BCy%C5%84ski) flew this plane from [Warsaw](/source/Warsaw) to [Rio de Janeiro](/source/Rio_de_Janeiro) from 27 April to 24 June 1933, on a path of {{convert|17,885|km|mi|abbr=on}}.

During his travel, on 7 May/8 May, Skarżynski flew the RWD 5bis across the southern [Atlantic](/source/Atlantic_Ocean), from [Saint-Louis, Senegal](/source/Saint-Louis%2C_Senegal) to [Maceio](/source/Maceio) in  [Brazil](/source/Brazil). The flight took 20 hours 30 minutes (17 hours above the ocean). He crossed {{convert|3,582|km|mi|abbr=on}}, establishing a distance record in the [FAI](/source/F%C3%A9d%C3%A9ration_A%C3%A9ronautique_Internationale) light tourist plane class. The RWD 5bis was at that time the smallest plane that had ever [flown across the Atlantic](/source/Transatlantic_flight) &mdash; its empty weight was below 450&nbsp;kg (1000&nbsp;lb), loaded 1100&nbsp;kg (2425&nbsp;lb). The plane had no radio nor safety equipment, due to weight considerations. It returned to Europe on a ship. After its record-breaking flight, the RWD 5bis was converted to a two-seater variant without additional tanks, and used by Skarżyński. The SP-AJU was seized by the Soviets in Lwów in September 1939, after their invasion of Poland.<ref name=morg/>

thumb|Modern replica
thumb|Replica in flight
==Description==
Mixed construction (steel and wood) high-wing [cantilever](/source/cantilever) [monoplane](/source/monoplane), conventional in layout. The fuselage of a steel frame, covered with canvas on a wooden frame (with duralumin in engine section). Trapezoid one-part wing, canvas covered (plywood in front), two-spar, with no mechanization. A crew of two, sitting in [tandem](/source/tandem) in a glazed cockpit, with dual controls and individual doors on the right. Conventional fixed [landing gear](/source/landing_gear), with a rear skid, wheels in teardrop covers on serial aircraft.

Engine in front, with tractor two-blade wooden propeller of a fixed pitch. A variety of 4-cylinder air-cooled inverted [straight engine](/source/straight_engine)s were used, most typically [Cirrus Hermes](/source/Cirrus_Engine) IIB (105&nbsp;hp (78&nbsp;kW) nominal power and 115&nbsp;hp (86&nbsp;kW) take-off power). Used also were 130&nbsp;hp Hermes IV or [de Havilland Gipsy](/source/de_Havilland_Gipsy) III, or 120&nbsp;hp [Walter Junior](/source/Walter_Junior) 4. The RWD 5bis and RWD 5 SP-LOT had a 130&nbsp;hp (97&nbsp;kW) [de Havilland Gipsy Major](/source/de_Havilland_Gipsy_Major).

==Specifications (RWD 5)==
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=,<ref name=Cynk>{{cite book |last1=Cynk |first1=Jerzy B |title=Polish aircraft, 1893-1939 |year=1971 |publisher=Putnam |isbn=0-370-00085-4 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/polishaircraft1800cynk/page/498 498-504] |url=https://archive.org/details/polishaircraft1800cynk/page/498 }}</ref> Polskie konstrukcje lotnicze 1893–1939<ref name=glass>{{cite book|last1=Glass|first1=Andrzej|title=Polskie konstrukcje lotnicze 1893–1939|date=1977|publisher=WKiŁ|location=Warsaw|language=Polish |pages=291–294}}</ref>
|prime units?=met
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=1
|capacity=1 passenger / trainee or second pilot
|length m=7.2
|length note=
|span m=10.5
|span note=
|height m=2.7
|height note=
|wing area sqm=15.5
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=
|empty weight kg=445
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=760
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity={{cvt|22|L|USgal impgal}} in two wing tanks
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[Cirrus Hermes IIB](/source/Cirrus_Hermes_IIB)
|eng1 type=4-cylinder air-cooled in-line piston engines
|eng1 hp=105-115
|eng1 note=

|prop blade number=2
|prop name=fixed-pitch propeller
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed kmh=200-210
|max speed note=at sea level
|cruise speed kmh=175-185
|cruise speed note=<br/>
*'''Landing speed:''' {{cvt|75|km/h|mph kn}}
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed note=
|range km=1080-1200
|range note=
|combat range km=
|combat range note=
|ferry range km=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling m=4700-5000
|ceiling note=
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ms=4.6
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude={{cvt|1000|m}} in 4 minutes 20 seconds
|wing loading kg/m2=50.7
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|power/mass={{cvt|0.0685|hp/lb|order=flip}}
|more performance=

|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent|
|related=
*[RWD 4](/source/RWD_4)
|similar aircraft=
*[de Havilland Puss Moth](/source/de_Havilland_Puss_Moth)
|lists=
|see also=
}}

==References==
{{Commons category}}
{{Reflist}}
* [http://rwd5.republika.pl/ RWD-5 aircraft Website by Rafał Krok], retrieved on 2008-07-06.

{{RWD aircraft}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:RWD 05}}
Category:1930s Polish civil utility aircraft
Category:1930s Polish sport aircraft
RWD 05
Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft
Category:High-wing aircraft
Category:Aircraft first flown in 1931

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [RWD 5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RWD_5) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RWD_5?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.
