PWS 19

PWS-19 was a prototype, Polish bomber and reconnaissance aircraft with a mixed structure, in the high wing (umbrella) arrangement with a fixed, classic landing gear. The drive was provided by a single engine Pratt and Whitney Hornet T2 with 525 hp. The prototype flight took place in 1931. The machine has never been mass-produced. They were armed with two 7.7 mm Vickers machine guns and a load of up to 300 kg of bombs. PWS-19 was created as a successor of the Potez XXV plane, which was licensed in Podlaska Wytwórnia Samolotów. It was planned to create two versions of the aircraft: PWS-19 A-2 (reconnaissance version) and PWS-19 B-2 (bomb version). The PWS-19 machines were characterized primarily by refined aerodynamics of the airfoil and fuselage as well as a double vertical tail, which was a phenomenon among Polish aircraft structures at that time. After the factory test (1931), the prototype was handed over to military trials, where at the beginning the machine showed very good flight properties. However, in the course of further trials, in March 1933, there was an unfortunate accident, when one of the prototypes crashed as a result of deformation of the wing. One of the crew members was killed. After this event, the military aviation gave up further attempts and focused on the PZL.23 Karaś project. Thus, the PWS-19 project was abandoned. In total, only two prototype PWS-19 aircraft were built.