Poland (1939)
Transport and Ambulance Aircraft – 7 Built

Following a request for a new passenger transport aircraft, the Plage and T. Laśkiewicz aircraft manufacturer developed the Lublin R-XVI. While it was not accepted for production, it would be built in a small series as a successful ambulance aircraft and used up to the Second World War by the Poles.

History

During early 1929, the Polish P.L.L airline, with the assistance of the Ministry of Transport, opened a contest for a new four-passenger transport plane. This aircraft was to be powered by a 220 hp Wright/Škoda radial engine. This contest was heavily influenced by the Polish Department of Aeronautics, which favored domestic manufactures. Aircraft manufacturer Plage and T. Laśkiewicz from Lublin (hence, all their products were named after that city) responded with the R-XI. Ultimately, this contest ended in failure, as none of the proposed aircraft proved satisfactory.

New specifications for a second contest were issued by the end of 1930. This time, Plage and T. Laśkiewicz presented a new model, the Lublin R-XVI design by Jerzy Rudlicki. While being based on the previous R-XI, there were a number of changes, like separating the cockpit from the crew compartment and changing the wing design. The novelty this aircraft introduced was the use of chrome-molybdenum tubes for the structure, a first in Poland, which reduced the weight.

When the prototype was completed, it was flight tested by Wladyslaw Szulczewski in February 1932. In the following months, the R-XVI was tested with different payloads. During these flights, the maximum speed achieved was around 194 km/h (120 mph). During 1932, the R-XVI was used mostly for postal service by the P.L.L. While the R-XVI proved to be satisfactory, its competitor, P.W.S., was chosen instead as the winner of this competition.

A New Role

Although they lost the competition, Plage and T. Laśkiewicz were instead contacted by the Medical Aviation Research Centre in cooperation with the Polish Red Cross. They were interested in the R-XVI plane and asked for certain modifications. These included adding space for two stretchers and a doctor, along with storage for additional medical equipment. This implementation was approved by the Ministry of Transport and the prototype was to be modified for this role. The aircraft was then renamed to R-XVIB, with the SP-AKP registration. Beside the changes to the interior passenger compartment, the fuselage was strengthened. These modifications were completed by the spring of 1933, when the aircraft was flight tested again.

At the International Congress of Military Medicine in Madrid 

This aircraft was presented to the VIIth International Congress of Military Medicine and the IInd International Congress of Medical Aviation, which was held in Madrid in 1933. Its crew consisted of the pilot, Zygmunt Janicki, mechanic Leon Zamiara and doctor Maj Kazimierz Michalik. The R-XVIB had the honor of being the first medical aircraft in the history of these Congresses to actually directly arrive by air. It also proved to be the best medical aircraft design present. The R-XVIB even won the first prize, the Raphael Cup, by beating the Spanish Trimotor and French Potez 29. When the Polish crews returned, they managed to fly the distance of 5,730 km (3,560 miles) without any problems.

Production Orders

Following the R-XVIB’s success in Spain, Plage and T. Laśkiewicz received production orders for one more prototype and five operational planes. The new prototype was completed during 1934. It was slightly different in comparison to the first aircraft. The most obvious change was the redesigned fuselage, improving the pilot’s visibility and using new types of landing wheels fitted with brakes and shock-absorbers. All aircraft were completed and put into service by the end of 1934.

Technical Specifications

The R-XVI was designed as a high-wing, single-engine, mixed construction transport/ambulance aircraft. The fuselage was built using chrome-molybdenum metal tubes and then covered with fabric. The one-piece wings were built using two spars which were covered by plywood. The wings were connected to the upper part of the fuselage by four bolts. The tail construction was the same as the fuselage, with a combination of steel tubes and fabric.

The R-XVI was powered by a 220 hp Škoda J-5, a nine-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, built under license after the J-5Wright Whirlwind engine. It was fitted with a two-blade fixed wooden propeller. The fuel load was stored in an aluminum tank (257 liters) which was placed in the upper part of the fuselage between the the wings.

The cockpit was placed at the front of the fuselage. To enter this position, the pilot was provided with a door. The crew compartment had room for four seats and one additional optional seat for a mechanic, if needed during the flight. There was a huge door for the passengers on the starboard side, with an additional smaller door for the luggage compartment on the port side. In the case of the later ambulance version, the crew compartment was redesigned to include two stretchers, placed one above the other. It was also equipped with shock-absorbing mounts for a more convenient flight for the patients. To bring the patients inside the plane, a large door was placed on the starboard side. On the opposite side, there was a door for the medical attendant. The interior of the medical version was provided with a first aid kit, washstand with running water, and lights.

The fixed landing gear consisted of two wheels. These were provided with vertical shock absorbers and brakes. If needed, there was an option to replace the landing wheels with skis. The original prototype had a small tail wheel, which was replaced on the later production model with a tail skid.

In Service

While not a combat aircraft, all R-XVIs were still operational by the time of the German invasion (1st September 1939) of Poland. By the time of the war, they were primarily used for wounded evacuation. While their final fate is unknown, they probably fell victim to the German air force.

Production and Modifications

The R-XVI was built in limited numbers for the Polish Red Cross. Besides the two prototypes, 5 additional aircraft were built.

• R-XVI – Original proposed passenger aircraft prototype, later served as the base for ambulance version.
• R-XVIB – Modified ambulance version, 6 aircraft were built (including a prototype).

Conclusion

While not accepted in its original role, the R-XVI would still see service as a medical aircraft used by the Polish Red Cross. In this role, they proved to be satisfactory and a small series of 5 aircraft was built. Their final fate sadly is not known and none survived the war.

Lublin R-XVIB Specifications
Wingspans	49  ft / 14.9 m
Length	33  ft 1 in / 10 m
Height	8 ft 7 in  / 2.96 m
Wing Area	328 ft² / 30.5 m²
Engine	One 220 hp Wright Whirlwind (Škoda) J-5 nine-cylinder radial engine
Empty Weight	2,535  lbs / 1,150 kg
Maximum Takeoff Weight	3,590 lbs / 1,630 kg
Fuel Capacity	257 liters
Climb Rate to 1 km	In 6 minutes 30 seconds
Maximum Speed	118 mph / 190 km/h
Cruising speed	104 mph  / 168 km/h
Range	479 miles / 800 km
Maximum Service Ceiling	14,635 ft / 4,600 m
Crew	Pilot and Medical Crew
Armament	None

Gallery

Illustrations by Carpaticus

 

Credits

• Written by Marko P.
• Edited by by Stan L. & Henry H.
• Illustrations by Carpaticus

Sources

• C. Chant. (2007) Pocket Guide aircraft of the WWII – 300 of the world’s greatest aircrafts, Grange books.
• J. B. Cynk (1971) Polish Aircraft 1893-1939, Putham and Company
• B. Belcarz and R. Peezkowski (2001) White Eagles: The Aircraft, Men and Operations of the Polish Air Force 1918-1939, Hikoki Publications
• J. Koniarek Polish Air Force 1939-1945, Signal Publication.