- Yes
- No
- Tech Tree
- Premium
- Event
- Squadron vehicle
- I said no
- Reserve
- 1.0
- 1.3
- 1.7
- I said no
- Future Polish Tech Tree
- German Tech Tree (specify why)
- Other
- I said no
- Vickers wz.09/32
- Vickers E
- PWU FK wz.33
- I said no
-
General Information
PZL P.7a was an all-metal Polish fighter from interwar period. It was originally an alternative to it’s predecessor called the P.6. Both were developed almost simultaneously and mainly differed in propulsion. P.7 had the Bristol Jupiter VII F radial engine with compressor and a reducer that developed the highest power at height of 2750m. This was of great importance for fighters intercepting aircraft at high altitude during that time. The tunnel model was examined at Aerodynamics Institute in spring of 1930. The first prototype designated as PZL P.7/I flew in October of 1930. It had a neatly covered engine with cylinders enclosed in individual hubcaps situated in such a way that would create a gap in front of the windbreak at the apex. In this way, engineer Puławski aimed to improve visibility from the cockpit deteriorated by the use of a radial engine. However, the hubcaps had a complicated structure, were also impractical and inconvenient to use. The last features have influenced the effectiveness of this solution. Cylinders that were too enclosed were getting too hot due to uncontrolled cooling conditions. Various methods were tried, without the use of hubcaps too. Only the use of the Townend ring with deflectors, on the second prototype (P.7/II), flown in the autumn of 1931, solved the problem of cooling. The aircraft was superior in performance to the P.6. It was correct in piloting, requiring only minor structural changes to increase the usability. The prototype was rebuilt to the model form for the serial version. It was accepted by the military with the recommendation of further changes introduced on an ongoing basis during production. The assembly lines were organized in the old buildings of the former CWL (Centralne Warsztaty Lotnicze) at the Mokotów airport. The first order was for 110 copies. Production was launched in 1932 on the basis of contract 127/30 that was originally for PZL P.6 aircraft. The serial version designated PZL P.7a was actually a new design. The aircraft received a redesigned fuselage made in a new technology, with a cross-section more similar to an oval, new wings with a larger span, shorter ailerons and a changed design. The engine received a wide Townend ring and a modified exhaust system, a fairing behind the pilot’s head etc. Production was delayed due to technological difficulties with maintaining the symmetry of the assembled fuselages, and then a delay in the delivery of Jupiter VII F engines produced at the Skoda plant, and finally due to an accident of the first serial copy on September 1, 1932. During the test flight, the ailerons were torn off, and the pilot Bolesław Orliński was forced to parachute. The first trial A-series was equipped with a Chauviere fixed-pitch metal propeller and Palmer wheels. Then they had their own PZL wheels, initially with Bendix brakes, and then PZL and wooden propellers by Szomański. Initially, the armament was Vickers wz.09/32 7.92 mm machine guns (more on that shortly after). By the end of 1932, a total of 48 PZL P.7as were built, completely ready, but not flown and not put into service. These copies were delivered in the spring of 1933. Production lasted throughout 1933 with the last copies being produced in December of 1933.
After the introduction of the P.7a to all fighter squadrons, the Polish Air Force became the first such formation in the world equipped entirely with fighter aircraft with a semi-monocoque metal structure. Arousing great interest, they took part in several major aviation events. The first, undoubtedly strong accent was the concentration of aircraft at the new Okęcie airport at the end of summer exercises in the last days of September 1933. On 12-23 October 1933, a group of 29 P.7a and an F-VIIIm3W transport aircraft with technical facilities, paid a visit to Romania. During the meeting on the occasion of the national holiday in Bucharest, the Poles gave a demonstration of team and individual piloting. The parade of formations in the strength of the regiment made a great impression on the hosts. On September 18, 1934, 3 P.7a paid a similar visit to Belgrade. They were also demonstrated to foreign guests in Poland. The Japanese missions got acquainted with the P.7a aircraft twice, on 3 April and 15 October 1933. Airmen from the USSR who arrived in Warsaw on three TB-3 bombers were shown the P.7a on July 28, 1934.
In addition to propaganda values, the shows also had commercial purposes. Inquiries were received from Romania, Portugal, Turkey, Greece, Sweden and Yugoslavia. However, new prototypes with more powerful engines and better armament appeared in PZL. Export transactions already concerned the successors of the P.7a. In the summer of 1939, there were 105 aircraft in the air force, including 30 in fighter squadrons, and the rest in training schools or squadrons, repairs and in reserves. The replacement process was not completed and on September 1, 1939 they were still in the equipment of fighter squadrons. In total, about 70 P.7a were used in the September campaign. Much slower and less armed, they nevertheless scored about 10 kills and damages to enemy aircraft. 14 P.7a were evacuated to Romania. They were grouped at the airport in Galaţi. Later, in 1940, they were illegally appropriated and assigned to aviation schools. The last records concerning these machines come from February 1, 1944. There were 2 more P.7a there, probably unable to fly. -
Armament + Equipment
2x machineguns synchronized with the prop
700 rounds per gun (1400)
Early planes with numbers from 6.02 to 6.08 had Vickers wz.09/32, 6.09 to 6.108 had Vickers wz.E and 6.109 to 6.148 had PWU FK wz.33
I’ll let you people decide on this one. -
Specifications
Length: 6,985 m
Wingspan: 10,57 m
Height: 2,69 m
Wing area: 18,00 m2
Gross weight: 1476,6 kg
Fuel capacity: 315 L (in prototypes)
Powerplant: 1 × Skoda-Bristol Jupiter VII F (520KM at max)
Maximum speed: 327 km/h
Range: 600 km
Climb: 10,4 m/s
Service ceiling: 8200 m -
Sources
PZL P.7a - Kampania Wrześniowa 1939.pl
“Samoloty Wojskowe w Polsce 1924-1939” Andrzej Morgała
samolotypolskie.pl - PZL P-7
Glass A. ”Polskie konstrukcje lotnicze 1893-1939”
Glass A. ”Samoloty PZL 1928-1978” -
Pictures
Spoiler
