W.W.S.3 Delfin
Encyclopedia
The WWS-3 Delphin (Dolphin) was a single-seat 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 from 1936.
Development
To provide a higher performance glider, to complement the W.W.S.1 SalamandraW.W.S.1 Salamandra
|-See also:-References:* Taylor, J. H. Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. Studio Editions: London. p. 29* Simons, Martin. Sailplanes 1920-1945 2nd revised edition. EQIP Werbung und Verlag G.m.b.H.. Königswinter. 2006. ISBN 3-9806773-4-6...
and W.W.S.2 Żaba
W.W.S.2 Żaba
The WWS-2 Żaba was a single-seat training glider designed and built in Poland 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...
, Wacław Czerwiński designed an all wood glider with smooth lines derived from wind tunnel tests at the Lwów Technical University. With a stiff structure optimised for higher speeds the W.W.S. 3 had pleasant flying characteristics. The first prototype was built with two alternative tailplanes, one conventional with separate elevator, the other an all-flying surface, both of which were evaluated in airworthiness trials at the I.B.T.L. (Instytut Badań Technicznych Lotnictwa – Institute of Aviation Technical Research) during 1937. Production aircraft were produced at W.W.S and at L.W.L.(Lwówskie Warsztaty Lotnicze – Lwów Aviation Workshops) with the all-flying tail for pitch control.
The cantilever gull wings were constructed as a divided pair with diagonal supplementary spars and plywood skinned leading edge D torsion box. The fuselage was constructed as a semi-monocoque shell with integral fin carrying the rudder and all-flying tailplane. A pneumatically-sprung nose skid formed the undercarriage.
Production continued till the outbreak of World War II, with most aircraft being destroyed except for examples confiscated by the German and Soviet authorities. One example taken by German forces was left behind in Denmark at the end of the war and refurbished for the Stamgruppen Gliding Club (regn OY-DYX), where it flew for several years.