R.W.D. 9, 20

To compete in the Challenge de Tourisme International of 1932, a new braced high-wing monoplane designated R.W.D.6 was designed and three examples were built. One of them was lost in an accident during early tests, but the other two took part in the Challenge and one was declared the winner. From this aircraft was developed an improved R.W.D.9 to take part in the 1934 Challenge, an initial batch of 10 being laid down and the first of these flying in early 1934. Planned powerplant was a new Polish radial engine, the 209kW Skoda GR.760, but delay in its development meant the prototype was flown initially with a 198kW Menasco B-6S Buccaneer. The R.W.D.9 differed primarily from its predecessor by being of four- rather than two-seat configuration, and four of the eight production aircraft (one airframe having been used for static tests) had the GR.760 engine, the other four having the 164kW Walter Bora radial engine. Six of the R.W.D.9s took part in the 1934 Challenge, all of them finishing in the top 10 places and sweeping the board by being first, second and third; almost unbelieveably this performance was repeated in the Circuit of Europe in September of that year, the first three places falling to the R.W.D.9.

For evaluation of fixed tricycle landing gear for lightplanes, the original R.W.D.9 prototype was so equipped; powered by a 97kW Walter Major inline engine it was tested successfully in late 1938 under the designation R.W.D.20.

lxbfYeaa, e-mail, 14.03.2024 jk

20

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