Poland's PZL P.11, fighter1,2
PZL P.11c fighter:
Design
The PZL P.11 was designed by Zygmunt Pulawski.1,2
Cockpit
The cockpit was small, unarmored, and only provided a small windscreen.1
Engine
The first engine used in the P.11 was the Gnome-Rhône radial.1 This was replaced by a license built British Mercury VIS.1
Undercarriage
The fixed undercarriage of the P.11 was fixed, but very strong.1
The tail was a spring loaded skid.1
Wing
The high parasol wing was innovative when it came into production.1,2 This allowed the P.11 pilots to outmaneuver the less agile German aircraft.1
Prototype
The PZL P.11 first flew in September 1931.1,2
Production
The first production version was the P.11b.1
- P-7: 1532
- Total: 3002, 3301
Variants
- P-7: Had Skoda built Bristol Jupiter VIIF (485 HP) engine.2 Could go 170 mph / 274 kph.2
- P-7a: Entered service in 1932 - 1933.2
- P.11:
- P.11a: Had Skoda built Bristol Mercury VI engine.2
- P.11b: First production version with two guns.1,2 Entered service in 1935.1 Had IAR built Gnome-Rhône 9K (525 HP) engine.2
- P.11c: Had Skoda built Bristol Mercury VIS.2 engine.2
- P.11f: Romanian built version.1 Had Gnome-Rhône 9Krse engine.2
- P.24: Improved version that was only made for export.1
Usage
Against Germany
Outnumbered and up against better aircraft the PZL P.11s helped shoot down 126 German aircraft.1
There were six regiments that had 128 P.11s.1,2 Within three days they lost 46.1,2
Romania
Romania imported 50 P.11bs.1
IAR in Bucharest built 120 P.11fs of their own.1
| PZL P.11a1 | PZL P.11c1,2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Fighter1 | Fighter1,2 |
| Crew | 11 | 11,2 |
| Engine (Type) | Bristol Mercury1 | Skoda Bristol Mercury VIS.2 piston1,2 |
| Cylinders | Radial1 | Radial1,2 |
| Cooling | ||
| Net HP | 5001 | 5001, 6452 |
| Propeller blades | 21 | 21 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Span | 35' 2"1, 35' 2"2 10.72 m1,2 |
|
| Length | 24' 9"1, 24' 9.25"2 7.55 m1,2 |
|
| Height | 9' 4"1, 9' 4.5"2 2.85 m1,2 |
|
| Wing area | ||
| Weight | ||
| Empty | 2,529 lb2 1,147 kg2 |
|
| Loaded | 3,960 lb1, 3,968 lb2 1,800 kg1,2 |
|
| Performance | ||
| Speed @ 18,000' / 5,500 m |
242 mph1 390 kph1 |
|
| Speed @ 18,050' / 5,500 m |
242 mph2 390 kph2 |
|
| Climb to 16,400' / 5,000 m |
6 minutes1 | |
| Climb to 16,405' / 5,000 m |
6 minutes2 | |
| Service ceiling | 26,250'1,2 8,000 m1,2 |
|
| Range | 435 miles1,2 700 km1,2 |
|
| Armament | ||
| Under wings | 2: 7.7 mm KM Wz33 MG1,2 | |
| Fuselage | 2: MGs1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of World War II, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995


