506 LWD 'ŻURAW'

The LWD Żuraw was a prototype Polish observation and liaison aircraft in the high wing configuration of the post-war period. The machine first flew in 1951, but never entered production. The drive was provided by a single 160 HP M-11FR engine. The plane was 8.26 meters long with a wingspan of 11.7 meters. The on-board armament consisted of a single machine gun. LWD Żuraw was developed in the Aviation Experimental Workshop and the work on it was led by Eng. Tadeusz Sołtyk. The new plane was commissioned by the Polish Air Force, which was interested in acquiring a completely new observation aircraft, but also a light multi-role aircraft. The machine was to replace the Po-2 and CSS-13 planes. During the design work, great emphasis was placed on the aircraft's ability to operate from random landing sites, the possibility of shortened take-off and landing, and the use of foldable wings. In the course of the tests, the plane showed generally correct flight characteristics, and the disadvantages were too heavy and some control problems. Ultimately, the machine lost the competition with the Jak-12 and PZL-101 Gawron planes