- Yes, as tech tree vehicles
- Yes, as rank 1 premiums
- Yes, as event vehicles
- No
- German Tech Tree
- Sweden Tech Tree
- British Tech Tree
- French Tech Tree
- Future Polish Air Tree
- I said no
Introduction:
The PZL.50 Jastrząb (Hawk) was a Polish fighter aircraft from the late 1930s. While originally designed as a successor to the PZL.11 and PZL.24 fighters, its role shifted toward that of an interceptor during development. It was intended to serve as a multi-purpose fighter and escort aircraft. Only two prototypes and a handful of unfinished airframes were built before the Invasion of Poland halted the project.
In War Thunder, both the PZL.50A and PZL.50B would make excellent rank 1 fighters (or interceptors, to get an airspawn). The 50A would do well at 1.3–1.7, while the more powerful 50B version could go to 2.0–2.3. The prototype PZL.50/I could also serve as a unique Rank 1 Premium or a low-tier event vehicle.
History:
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In the mid 1930s, the Polish Air Force sought to replace their aging PZL.11 and PZL.24 fighters. The initial candidate, the heavy twin-engine PZL.38 Wilk, was cancelled after severe engine and performance problems. Consequently, in late 1936, the Armament Committee (KSUS) issued a requirement for a modern singleseat fighter. The PZL.50 Jastrząb design was selected, and development began under the leadership of PZL’s Chief Designer, Wsiewołod Jakimiuk.
The first prototype, PZL.50/I, was completed in late 1938 and made its maiden flight on February 22nd, 1939. It was powered by an 840 hp Bristol Mercury VIII engine. While the design called for British Dowty retractable landing gear, delivery delays forced the engineers to use a heavier, modified Polish Avia 4L mechanism.
Performance was initially underwhelming. The aircraft achieved a top speed of only 420 km/h at 3,600 meters, barely faster than the older PZL.24. Maneuverability was also poor; in a mock dogfight, the Jastrząb lost to a PZL.37 Łoś medium bomber (which was flying without payload). The fighter suffered in low speed turn and a tendency to wobble at high speeds. It was later discovered in May 1939 that the carburetor air intake was too small, choking the engine. After modifying the intake and refining control surfaces, the top speed improved to ~442 km/h.
The second prototype, PZL.50/II, was redesignated as an interceptor. It featured a major structural change: a “razorback” fuselage and a larger wing surface area to prioritize climb rate over raw speed. This variant was intended to mount more powerful engines, such as the 1,100 hp Gnome-Rhône 14N21 (for export), the 1,060 hp Bristol Taurus II/III, or the domestic PZL Waran. Estimates suggested it could reach 470–480 km/h. Jakimiuk also proposed a variant with the inline Hispano-Suiza 12Y engine, designated the PZL.56 Kania, but this was not pursued.
There were two main planned production variants:
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PZL.50A : The initial production version based on the refined PZL.50/I but with the razorback fuselage. Powered by the 840 hp Bristol Mercury VIII, with a projected top speed of 500 km/h.
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PZL.50B : An improved version powered by the ~1,100 hp Gnome-Rhône 14N21 (or potentially the 1,000 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp).
Unfortunately, the outbreak of World War II ended the program. As German forces advanced, the Warsaw PZL factory was evacuated. Pilot Jerzy Widawski attempted to fly the PZL.50/I prototype to Lwów, but due to either engine failure or fuel starvation, he crashed near Rawa Ruska. The remaining unfinished airframes were moved from the WP-1 factory to a car warehouse in Warsaw to await their wings, but they were captured by the Germans in 1940 and subsequently scrapped.
Specifications:
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PZL.50A:
PZL.50B:
Engine: 870hp Gnome-Rhone 14Kirs
Maximum speed: N/A
Armaments:
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PZL.50A: 4x 7.92mm wz. 36 machine guns on the wings or 2x cowl-mounted and 2x wing-mounted 7.92mm wz. 36 machine guns, 2x 50kg bombs.
PZL.50B: 2x cowl-mounted 7.92mm wz. 36 machine guns and 2x wing-mounted 20mm nkm FK wz.38D cannons, 1x 300kg bomb. Some sources also said that it have the 2x cowl-mounted and 2x wing-mounted 7.92mm wz. 36 + 2x wing-mounted 20mm nkm FK wz.38D).
More pictures:
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Pic of the PZL.50/I prototype with the hump back fuselage.
PZL. 50/II, note the razorback fuselage and the lack of wings.
Note the machine gun mount showing off the 4x cowling-mounted configuration.
Italian Foreign Minister Count Galeazzo Ciano inspects the P.50/I prototype, Feb 1939.
Sources:
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PZL P.50 Jastrząb | Plane-Encyclopedia
Dlaczego Jastrząb zawiódł? Część I
Wikipedia
Visegrad Group - Aviation tech tree, Page 9 old WT forum.
Old WT forum PZL.50 post.
MULTIDISCIPLINARY PROJECT OF HISTORICAL AIRCRAFT VIRTUAL RECONSTRUCTIONS AS A WAY OF POPULARIZING SCIENCE, Page 47-50.
Afternote:
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This one was tough to write as many sources conflict each other and information are sacred, i believe there is also one post about this on the old forum but it was copy paste and didn’t even make the suggestion list. If i am wrong about that then uh oops, sorry.
Any feedbacks are appreciated if you think that anything is wrong or have any suggestions.