PWS-3
The PWS-3 was a Polish sports aircraft, developed in 1927 by PWS (Podlaska Wytwórnia Samolotów - Podlasie Aircraft Factory), which remained a prototype.
Design and development
The PWS-3 was the first sports aircraft manufactured by the Polish aerospace industry (not counting earlier amateur designs). It was designed by Stanisław Cywiński in the PWS factory in 1927. Its interesting feature was a fuselage built upon a bottom boom, what made possible changing of upper fuselage part with cockpits, and developing single-seater, two-seater or other specialized variants.
The prototype of the PWS-3, designated PWS-3B, was flown on 20 May 1927 at Biała Podlaska. After trials, a rudder got improved. In 1928 the plane underwent a modification, receiving rounded wingtips instead of square ones, and smaller ailerons.
Operational history
The prototype PWS-3B was given a registration number P-PWSS, from 1930: SP-ACJ. It took part in the 1st Polish Light Aircraft Contest on 6–9 October 1927, taking the 2nd place (after JD-2 aircraft). Later it was bought by the LOPP paramilitary organization in Lublin and used for propaganda flights.
