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{{Short description|Polish parasol wing monoplane trainer aircraft}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Infobox aircraft 
|name =RWD 8
|image =RWD 8 - SP-BCE.jpg
|caption =
|type =[[Trainer aircraft]]
|manufacturer =[[RWD (aircraft manufacturer)|DWL (RWD)]] / [[Podlaska Wytwórnia Samolotów|PWS]] [[Poland]] and<br />
Rogozarski [[Yugoslavia]]
|designer = 
|first_flight =[[1933 in aviation|1933]]
|introduction =[[1934 in aviation|1934]]
|retired =[[1948 in aviation|1948]] (Israel)
|status = 
|primary_user =[[Polish Air Force]]
|more_users = Yugoslavia<br />
Romania
|produced =[[1934 in aviation|1934]]–[[1939 in aviation|1939]]
|number_built =over 550
|unit cost = 
|variants = [[RWD 17]]
}}

The '''RWD 8''' was a Polish [[parasol wing]] [[monoplane]] [[trainer aircraft]] produced by [[RWD (aircraft manufacturer)|RWD]]. It was used from 1934 to 1939 by the Polish [[Polish Air Force|Air Force]] and civilian aviation.

==Development==
The RWD 8 was designed in response to a Polish Air Force requirement in 1931 for a basic [[trainer aircraft]]. It was designed by the [[RWD (aircraft manufacturer)|RWD]] team of [[Stanisław Rogalski]], [[Stanisław Wigura]] and [[Jerzy Drzewiecki]]. The first prototype (registration SP-AKL) was flown in early 1933. It won the contest for the new Polish military trainer, against the [[PZL-5]]bis and [[Bartel BM-4]]h [[biplane]]s. It was considered a very stable and well-handling aircraft.

Since the DWL (''[[RWD (aircraft manufacturer)|Doświadczalne Warsztaty Lotnicze]]'') workshops – a manufacturer of RWD designs – had limited production capability, the Polish military decided to produce the aircraft in a nationalised factory [[PWS (aircraft manufacturer)|PWS]] (''Podlaska Wytwórnia Samolotów''). DWL gave away the licence free of charge, only for covering design costs. PWS produced aircraft for both military and civilian aviation, while DWL produced aircraft for civilian use only. The first PWS-built RWD 8 was flown in September 1934. These aircraft, designated '''RWD 8 PWS''' (or RWD 8 pws), differed from the original '''RWD 8 DWL''' (or RWD 8 dwl) in minor details, mainly having thinner landing gear shock absorbers and being slightly heavier and therefore slower.

Apart from the standard variant, 50 '''RWD 8a PWS''' were built with an additional 95 L (25 U.S. gal) fuel tank in a thicker central wing section, giving increased range. A small series was built with a rear cab covered with blinds, for [[Instrument flight rules|blind flying]] training. A frame with a hook for [[Glider (sailplane)|glider]] towing could be attached to the aircraft. A further development of the RWD 8 was the aerobatics and training aircraft, the [[RWD-17]].

In total, over 550 RWD 8s were built (about 80 by DWL and about 470 by PWS). Production ceased in early 1939. The RWD 8 was the most numerous aircraft manufactured in Poland up to that time.<ref name="Петровић">{{cite journal|last1=Петровић|first1=Огњан М.|title=Војни аероплани Краљевине СХС/Југославије|journal=Лет|date=2004|volume=3|pages=42–44|language=sr|issn=1450-684X}}</ref>

===Technical description===
The RWD 8 was conventional in layout and had mixed construction (steel and wood frame with canvas and plywood covering). The crew of two, sitting in [[tandem]], were in an open cockpit, with individual windshields. Twin controls were fitted. Power came from a 4-cylinder air-cooled 90&nbsp;kW (120&nbsp;hp) [[straight engine]] PZInż. Junior (licence built [[Walter Junior]]) (82&nbsp;kW /110&nbsp;hp nominal power), 120&nbsp;hp [[Walter Major]] or [[de Havilland Gipsy Major]]. A two-blade wooden propeller was fitted. The aircraft had a conventional [[landing gear]], with a rear skid. The fuel tank in the fuselage had 75 L (18 U.S. gal) (RWD 8 PWS) or 85 L (21 U.S. gal) (RWD 8 DWL). The wings folded rearwards.

==Operational history==
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-E11027, Polen, zerstörtes polnisches Flugzeug.jpg|thumb|right|RWD 8 destroyed during the invasion of Poland.]]
RWD 8s were used in the Polish military trainer aviation from 1934, becoming a standard type of primary trainer. In November 1938, there were 349 RWD 8s in the Air Force. RWD 8s were also used in Polish civilian aviation – particularly in regional aeroclubs. More than 80 aircraft were bought for public collection funds in order to train aviators. They were also used in the Polish aviation sport.

A small number were exported: three were sold to [[Mandatory Palestine|Palestine]], one to Spain, Morocco and Brazil. Licences for building the RWD 8 were sold to [[Estonia]] (one aircraft was produced, with markings ES-RWD) and [[Rogozarski]] of [[Yugoslavia]] (a small series with [[radial engine]]s was built). At least one RWD 8 was sold to Spain via Portugal during the [[Spanish Civil War]]. It was used as a reconnaissance aircraft and a trainer for the Nationalist forces.

In the [[invasion of Poland]] 1939, the RWD 8s were used in 13 [[Liaison aircraft|liaison]] flights, three aircraft in each, assigned to Armies. Many other aircraft were mobilised during the campaign and used in improvised liaison units. An advantage of the RWD 8 was its capability for [[STOL|short take off and landing]] on unprepared fields, but the missions of their crews were dangerous. RWD 8s of the Polesie Operational Group were the last Polish aircraft in the sky during the campaign. They were flying reconnaissance missions during the [[battle of Kock (1939)|Battle of Kock]], and even threw hand [[grenade]]s.

A great number of RWD 8s were bombed by the Germans in air bases (unlike Polish combat aircraft) or burned by withdrawing Poles. A total of 57 aircraft were withdrawn to [[Romania]], about 40 to [[Latvia]] and 2 to [[Hungary]]. About a dozen aircraft were captured by the Germans in airworthy condition. In Romania and Hungary they were used until the late 1940s. None returned to Poland after the war, and today, none have survived.

==Variants==
;RWD 8
:Prototypes and initial production aircraft
;RWD 8 PWS
:Aircraft built by [[PWS (aircraft manufacturer)|PWS]] (''Podlaska Wytwórnia Samolotów'')
;RWD 8 DWL
:Aircraft built by [[RWD (aircraft manufacturer)|Doświadczalne Warsztaty Lotnicze]] (DWL)

==Operators==

===Civil operators===
*{{BRA}}: one aircraft
*{{EST}}: one license-built
*{{MAR}}: one aircraft
*{{flag|British Mandate for Palestine}}
*{{POL}}
*{{flag|Spanish Republic}}: one aircraft
*{{flag|Kingdom of Yugoslavia}}
* Aero Club Belgrade three aircraft.<ref name="airhist">{{cite web|title=Civil Aircraft Register - Yugoslavia|url=http://www.airhistory.org.uk/gy/reg_YU-.html|website=www.airhistory.org.uk|access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref>

===Military operators===
;{{flag|Nazi Germany|name=Germany}}
*''[[Luftwaffe]]'' (small numbers)<ref name=Ketley>{{cite book |last1=Rolfe |first1=Barry Ketley & Mark |title=Luftwaffe fledglings : 1935-1945 : Luftwaffe training units & their aircraft |date=1996 |publisher=Hikoki |location=Aldershot |isbn=978-0-95198-992-0 |edition=1. publ. in Great Britain. |page=11}}</ref>
;{{flag|Hungary|1920}}: [[Hungarian Air Force]]
;{{ISR}}: [[Sherut Avir]]
;{{LAT}}: [[Latvian Air Force]] operated some 20 aircraft, that escaped from Poland<ref name=Humberstone>{{cite book|title=Latvian Air Force, 1918-40 : an Insigna Air Force Special with 1/72 scale decals. |first=Richard |last=Humberstone |date=2000 |publisher=Blue Rider Pub. |location=London|isbn=1-902851-04-8}}</ref>
;{{POL}}: [[Polish Air Force]]
;{{flag|Romania}}: [[Royal Romanian Air Force]]
;{{flag|Spanish State|1938}}: Nationalist forces acquired 1 aircraft of the [[SEPEWE]] syndicate and received via Portugal. Used it for training duties.
;{{flag|Kingdom of Yugoslavia}}
*[[Yugoslav Royal Air Force]]

==Specifications (RWD 8 )==
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1937,<ref name=JAWA1937>{{cite book |title=Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1937 |editor1-last=Grey |editor1-first=C.G. |year=1937 |publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd |location=London |editor2-last=Bridgman|editor2-first=Leonard |pages=247c–248c}}</ref> Polish Aircraft 1893–1939,<ref name=Cynk>{{cite book |last=Cynk |first=Jerzy B. |title=Polish Aircraft 1893–1939 |year=1971 |publisher=Putnam |location=London |isbn=978-0-370-00085-5 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/polishaircraft1800cynk/page/510 510-520] |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/polishaircraft1800cynk/page/510 }}</ref> Polskie konstrukcje lotnicze 1893-1939<ref name="Glass">{{cite book|last1=Glass|first1=Andrzej|title=Polskie konstrukcje lotnicze 1893-1939|date=1977|publisher=WKiŁ|location=Warsaw 1977|language=pl}}</ref>
|prime units?=met
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=2
|length m=8
|span m=11
|height m=2.3
|wing area sqm=20
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=
|empty weight kg=480
|gross weight kg=750
|max takeoff weight kg=
|fuel capacity={{cvt|100|L|USgal impgal}}
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[PZ Inż. Junior]]
|eng1 type=4-cyl inverted air-cooled piston engine
|eng1 hp=110
|eng1 note=/{{cvt|120|hp|order=flip}}

|prop blade number=2
|prop name=Szomański fixed pitch propeller
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed kmh=175
|max speed note=-{{cvt|185|km/h|mph kn}}
|cruise speed kmh=145
|cruise speed note=-{{cvt|155|km/h|mph kn}}
|stall speed kmh=75
|never exceed speed kmh=
|range km=435
|range note=-{{cvt|500|km|mi nmi}}
|ferry range km=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling m=5000
|ceiling note=-{{cvt|5500|m}}
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ms=4.7
|time to altitude={{cvt|1000|m}} in 4 minutes to 4 minutes 15 seconds
|wing loading kg/m2=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|power/mass={{cvt|0.07|hp/lb|kW/kg|order=flip}}
|more performance=
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent|
|related=
*[[RWD 17]]
|similar aircraft=
*[[Acme Sportsman]]
*[[de Havilland Tiger Moth]]
*[[Repülőgépgyár Levente II|Levente II]]
|lists=
|see also=
*[[RWD 13]]
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* Gerdessen, Frederik. "Estonian Air Power 1918 – 1945". ''[[Air Enthusiast]]'', No. 18, April – July 1982. pp.&nbsp;61–76. {{ISSN|0143-5450}}.

==External links==
{{commons category|RWD 8}}
*[http://www.airwar.ru/enc/law1/rwd13.html Photos and drawings of RWD-13]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120711012651/http://www.goldenyears.ukf.net/reg_YU-.htm Civil Aircraft Register – Yugoslavija]

{{RWD aircraft}}

[[Category:1930s Polish civil trainer aircraft]]
[[Category:1930s Polish military trainer aircraft]]
[[Category:RWD aircraft|RWD-08]]
[[Category:Parasol-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1933]]
[[Category:Aircraft manufactured in Estonia]]
[[Category:Aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear]]
[[Category:Single-engined piston aircraft]]