PWS-14

The PWS-12 was a single-engined two-seat training biplane, fit also for aerobatics, designed in 1928 by A. Grzędzielewski and August Bobek-Zdaniewski at the PWS factory. The design shared similar parts, including fuselage and engine, as a high-wing trainer fighter plane PWS-11, developed at the same time.Glass, A. (1977) The main difference was the addition of a lower wing. It was powered by a nose-mounted Skoda-built version of the Wright J-5 Whirlwind radial engine. Two prototypes and an airframe for static tests were ordered by the Aviation Department of the War Ministry in February 1928 (along with the PWS-11 prototypes). The first prototype was flown by Franciszek Rutkowski in November 1929. It was later improved - among others, a Townend ring replaced NACA cowling, and it was fitted with N-shaped struts between wings instead of perpendicular struts. The second improved prototype was flown on 18 November 1930, and designated PWS-12bis. Testing was successful and a production order for 20 aircraft was placed by the Polish Air Force.

In a meantime, the factory developed improved model PWS-14, featuring a change from wooden to a steel-tube fuselage, strengthened wings and other improvements, like a door in first cockpit's side. The War Ministry ordered a production of one PWS-14 and a similar modification of the series being in production. It caused some financial problems for the factory, since a production of PWS-12s had already started. As a result, the factory delivered in 1932 a series of 20 PWS-14, marked officially as PWS-12 (military numbers 57.1 - 57.20). A further development of PWS-14 was PWS-16, and then PWS-26.

File:PWS14.jpg

The PWS-14s, officially marked as PWS-12s, were used by the Polish Air Force from 1933 in the Officer Training Centre in Dęblin and a Flying School in Grudziądz. Most were next replaced by the PWS-16 and PWS-26, some remained in use until World War II in 1939.

The second prototype PWS-12bis (factory no. 358) was modified in 1931 to a role of an aerobatics aircraft. Among others, fuselage sides were made flat and a rudder shape was changed. It received markings SP-AKE and was flown mainly by Lt. J. Orłowski. In March 1931 it was used in a trip to Estonia, and in April 1933 - to Romania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Austria and Czechoslovakia. Then, both prototypes were used for several years as utility aircraft in Aviation Technical Research Institute (ITBL). They were later stored in Dęblin.

;PWS-12

:Prototype of wooden construction.

;PWS-12bis

:Second improved prototype

;PWS-14

:Improved model of mixed construction (aircraft delivered to the Air Force were marked as PWS-12)

{{Aircraft specs

|ref=Glass, A. (1977)

|prime units? = met

|crew=1

|capacity=1 (Trainee)

|length m=6.9

|span m=9

|span ft=29

|span in=6.25

|height m=2.85

|wing area sqm=25

|empty weight kg=775

|gross weight kg=1100

|gross weight lb=2425

|eng1 number=1

|eng1 name=Skoda-Wright J-5A Whirlwind radial engine

|eng1 kw=164

|eng1 hp=220

|max speed kmh=190

|max speed mph=118

|cruise speed kmh=175

|range km=640

|ceiling m=4500

|climb rate ms=4.3

}}

{{aircontent|

|related=

• PWS-11
• PWS-16
• PWS-26

|similar aircraft=

|lists=

|see also=

}}

{{commons category|PWS-12}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book |last= Glass|first=Andrzej |title=Polskie konstrukcje lotnicze 1893-1939 [Polish aviation designs 1893-1939]|year= 1977|publisher= WKiŁ|location= Warsaw |pages=194–197|language=pl}}
• {{cite book |last= Taylor |first= Michael J. H. |title=Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation |year=1989 |publisher=Studio Editions |location=London }}
• {{cite book |title= The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985)|publisher= Orbis Publishing}}

{{PWS aircraft}}

Category:PWS aircraft

Category:1920s Polish military trainer aircraft

Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft

Category:Biplanes

Category:Aircraft first flown in 1929

Category:Aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear