R.W.D. 5

The prototype of a much refined version of the earlier R.W.D. two-seaters was flown on 7 August 1931, and in appearance this was a conventional high-wing monoplane typical of the period. Successful testing of the R.W.D.5 prototype led to the construction of 20 production aircraft by D.W.L. in two batches, these being used extensively in sporting/touring activities and enjoying a good share of competition success. However, the most outstanding performance of the R.W.D.5 was that achieved by SP-AJU converted as the R.W.D.5bis for an attempted nonstop flight over the South Atlantic. With a reduced-span reinforced wing, increased fuel capacity and powered by a 97kW de Havilland Gipsy Major engine, it was flown successfully by Captain Stanislaw Skarzyhski to achieve a remarkable nonstop crossing from St Louis-de-Senegal to Maceio, Brazil during 7/8 May 1933. It remains, to this day, the lightest aircraft to complete a nonstop flight across the South Atlantic, an achievement that brought great respect for the capability of the R.W.D. design team.