RWD-14 CZAPLA

The RWD-14 Czapla was a Polish accompanying aircraft (in cooperation with the army) of a mixed structure, in the high wing configuration, with a fixed undercarriage. The drive was provided by a single engine PZL G-1620B Mors II with 470 hp. The flight of the prototype took place in 1936, and in the years 1938-1939 serial production continued, ending with the production of about 65 aircraft of this type. The armament was 2 machine guns: 7.7 mm Vickers and 7.92 mm wz. 33. The RWD-14 Czapla aircraft was created in response to the demand announced in 1933 by the Polish military aviation for a new accompanying aircraft, which was to replace the Lublin R.XIII machines in the line. At the same time, the command of the Air Force treated the RWD-14 as a transition plane, waiting for the LWS-3 Mewa to be put into production. The Heron had better performance than its predecessor, but at the same time it differed significantly from the needs of the battlefield at that time, which makes it even more reasonable to build only about 65 aircraft of this type. It should be added, however, that the RWD-14 Czapla was an airplane with short take-off and landing features, and also had folding wings, which facilitated hangar. Aircraft of this type took part in the September campaign in 1939. 49-51 machines entered the fight, of which approx. 35 were lost in battle, and approx. 11-14 pieces went to Romania. Single copies were seized by the Soviet and German troops.