PWS-14
title: "PWS-14" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["pws-aircraft", "1920s-polish-military-trainer-aircraft", "single-engined-tractor-aircraft", "biplanes", "aircraft-first-flown-in-1929", "aircraft-with-fixed-conventional-landing-gear"] topic_path: "geography/poland" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PWS-14" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox aircraft"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | PWS-12 and PWS-14 |
| image | PWS12.jpg |
| caption | PWS-12bis after modifications |
| aircraft_type | Trainer biplane |
| national_origin | Poland |
| manufacturer | PWS |
| primary_user | Polish Air Force |
| number_built | 23 |
| first_flight | November 1929 |
| :: |
| name = PWS-12 and PWS-14 | logo = | logo_size = | image = PWS12.jpg | alt = | caption = PWS-12bis after modifications | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = Trainer biplane | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = Poland | manufacturer = PWS | design_group = | designer = | builder = | issuer = | status = | owners = | primary_user = Polish Air Force | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = 23 | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = | retired = | first_flight = November 1929 | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded =
The PWS-12 was a biplane trainer designed and developed by Podlaska Wytwórnia Samolotów (PWS) in Poland. It entered production as the PWS-14.
Development
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. 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 an 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 the production of one PWS-14 and a similar modification of the series being in production. It caused some financial problems for the factory, since the 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.
Operational service
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/PWS14.jpg" caption="PWS-14"] ::
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.
Variants
;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)
Specifications (PWS-14)
|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
References
References
- Glass, A. (1977)
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