The PWS-33 Wyżeł was a Polish twin-engine military trainer aircraft.
Although destined for production it got no further than the two prototypes before Poland was invaded.
With an expected advent of a twin-engine heavy fighter, the PZL.38 Wilk, which was supposed to be a basic fighter and bomber aircraft in the Polish Air Force, there appeared the need for a twin-engine trainer aircraft for pilots.
In 1936, the PWS works were ordered to build a trainer of cheap wooden construction, similar in layout to the PZL.38.
The main designer was Wacław Czerwiński, known for designing several successful sailplanes.
The prototype of the PWS-33 first flew in August–September 1938.
The aircraft appeared successful with good flight characteristics and the maximum speed turned out to be even higher than had been estimated.
It was given a name Wyżeł.
The prototype was soon shown at the Paris Air Show, in November–December 1938 (under the name PZL Wyżeł) and met with an interest in the world press.
In January 1939 the second prototype PWS-33/II flew.
It was also capable of aerobatics.
The plane was quite light and small and comparable to the single-engine trainer PWS-26.
After trials, the plane was ordered into production.
In the meantime, the PZL.38 Wilk program was appearing unsuccessful due to lack of proper engines and was cancelled.
However, the PWS-33 could still find a place as a trainer for pilots of PZL.37 Łoś medium bombers, which were also similar in appearance to the PWS-33, and for future heavy fighters such as the PZL.48 Lampart.
In summer 1939 production of the first series of 25 aircraft started but they were not completed due to the outbreak of war.
Specifications
Crew
2
Capacity
460 kg (1,010 lb) useful load
Length
6.94 m (22 ft 9 in)
Wingspan
9.26 m (30 ft 5 in)
Height
2.56 m (8 ft 5 in)
Wing area
12.7 m2 (137 sq ft)
Empty weight
950 kg (2,094 lb)
Gross weight
1,410 kg (3,109 lb)
Fuel capacity
250 l (54.99 imp gal; 66.04 US gal)
Powerplant
2 × PZI nż Major 4B,
4-cyl inverted air-cooled in-line piston engines,
97 kW (130 hp) each
Propellers
2-bladed Fixed pitch wooden propellers,
1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) diameter
Performance
Maximum speed
315 km/h (196 mph, 170 kn)
Cruise speed
260 km/h (160 mph, 140 kn)
Range
1,160 km (720 mi, 630 nmi)
Service ceiling
4,500 m (14,800 ft)
Rate of climb
4.5 m/s (890 ft/min)
Wing loading
111 kg/m2 (23 lb/sq ft)
Armament
Guns
1 x fixed 7.92 mm (0.312 in) PWU Wz.36 machine-gun in the fuselage
