W.W.S.2 Żaba
Encyclopedia
The WWS-2 Żaba (Frog) was a single-seat training glider
Glider (sailplane)
A glider or sailplane is a type of glider aircraft used in the sport of gliding. Some gliders, known as motor gliders are used for gliding and soaring as well, but have engines which can, in some cases, be used for take-off or for extending a flight...
designed and built in Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
from 1937.
Development
Czerwiński improved the design of the CWJ-bis, with reduced structure weight and changes to the flying control surfaces, to improve performance and manoeuverability. The W.W.S. 2 followed the primary trainer concept with a skeletal fuselage wire-braced to a simple fabric covered wing, supported by two struts each side, and tail unit. The completely open seating area followed the theory of the day, that called for the student pilot to feel the wind on his/her body to fully appreciate the movements of the aircraft in response to control movements and atmospheric changes, such as gusts, turbulence or thermals. One W.W.S. 2 survived the war, to fly again, and was retired to the Krakow Aviation Museum in 1950.Production of the Żaba at the W.W.S. Commenced in 1937, with 60-70 built before the outbreak of WWII. The Żaba II (Żaba-bis) was produced at the Lwow aviation workshops (L.W.L.), with approx 150 built, 20 for export.
Variants
- WWS-2 Żaba – production aircraft from W.W.S. From 1937.
- WWS-2-bis Żaba II – improved version with reduced weight and improved controls built by the Lwow Aviation Workshops (L.W.L.).
- CWA Wren – A WWS-2 Żaba built in Canada, after WWII, by Wacław Czerwiński.
Specifications (WWS-2 Żaba)
See also
External links
- http://www.piotrp.de/SZYBOWCE/pwws2.htm
- http://muzeumlotnictwa.pl/zbiory_sz.php?ido=79&w=p