PZL P.7

The PZL P.7 was the Polish fighter aircraft designed in early-1930s in the PZL factory in Warsaw. Adopted by the Polish Air Force in 1933 as its basic fighter; it was one of the first all-metal monoplane fighters to be mass-produced with state-of-the-art construction. However, by the end of the decade, the P.7 was obsolete and was replaced in Polish service by its follow-up design, the PZL P.11c. A small number of P.7s remained in service until 1... more

The PZL P.7 was the Polish fighter aircraft designed in early-1930s in the PZL factory in Warsaw. Adopted by the Polish Air Force in 1933 as its basic fighter; it was one of the first all-metal monoplane fighters to be mass-produced with state-of-the-art construction. However, by the end of the decade, the P.7 was obsolete and was replaced in Polish service by its follow-up design, the PZL P.11c. A small number of P.7s remained in service until 1939 and several dozen aircraft took part in the Polish Defensive War, scoring several kills. The history of the PZL P.7 started in 1928, when a talented designer, Zygmunt Puławski designed an all-metal, metal-covered monoplane fighter, the PZL P.1. It introduced a high gull wing, giving a pilot an optimal view. The wing design was called the "Polish wing" or "Pulawski wing". The P.1 was powered by an inline engine, and developed a speed of 302 km/h, but remained a prototype, because a decision was made to use a licence produced radial engine... less