R.W.D. 5

1931

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R.W.D. 5

The prototype of a much refined version of the earlier R.W.D. two-seaters was flown on 7 August 1931, and in appearance this was a conventional high-wing monoplane typical of the period. Successful testing of the R.W.D.5 prototype led to the construction of 20 production aircraft by D.W.L. in two batches, these being used extensively in sporting/touring activities and enjoying a good share of competition success. However, the most outstanding performance of the R.W.D.5 was that achieved by SP-AJU converted as the R.W.D.5bis for an attempted nonstop flight over the South Atlantic. With a reduced-span reinforced wing, increased fuel capacity and powered by a 97kW de Havilland Gipsy Major engine, it was flown successfully by Captain Stanislaw Skarzyhski to achieve a remarkable nonstop crossing from St Louis-de-Senegal to Maceio, Brazil during 7/8 May 1933. It remains, to this day, the lightest aircraft to complete a nonstop flight across the South Atlantic, an achievement that brought great respect for the capability of the R.W.D. design team.

Specification 
 ENGINE1 x Hermes IIB inline piston engine, 86kW
 WEIGHTS
  Take-off weight760 kg1676 lb
  Empty weight445 kg981 lb
 DIMENSIONS
  Wingspan10.5 m34 ft 5 in
  Length7.2 m24 ft 7 in
  Height2.7 m9 ft 10 in
  Wing area15.0 m2161.46 sq ft
 PERFORMANCE
  Max. speed200 km/h124 mph
  Ceiling4700 m15400 ft
  Range1080 km671 miles

Comments
Marcin, 05.09.2010 11:54

This is the first aircraft that flown across the Atlantic Ocean (but from Africa to Brazil). Apparently, it was also the lightest one...

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