PZL P.11 - a Polish fighter plane from before World War II, produced between 1934 and 1936 at the Polish Aircraft Works and also under license in Romania. A total of about 350 were produced (200 for Polish aviation and 135 for Romanian aviation).
In the late 1920s and early 1930s, at PZL in Warsaw, engineer Zygmunt Pulawski constructed a series of modern fighter aircraft starting with the PZL P.1 model made entirely of metal.
The PZL P.11 was a development of the P.7 improved and strengthened design with a more powerful engine. Unfortunately, engineer Pulawski died in an airplane accident on March 21, 1931 and further work on the P.11 was taken over by Pulawski's colleague engineer Vsevolod Yakimyuk. Aerodynamic and strength calculations were made by engineer Piotr Belkovich. The first P.11/I prototype was flown by Boleslaw Orlinski.
In 1933, a version of the P.11a with a Bristol Mercury IV engine was developed for the Polish Air Force. This machine underwent testing in the spring of the same year, resulting in an order of 30 aircraft, later increased to 50. Production was delayed due to the order of the P.11b for the Romanian Air Force, PZL was able to start the P.11a version in the spring of 1934. Production of the entire order took several months and ended in the summer of the same year.
Polish fighter squadrons continued to use P.11a aircraft in 1939.They took part in the defensive war from its beginning until its last days and evacuation forced by the Soviet attack on September 17 . After evacuation, several surviving aircraft joined the Romanian Air Force, where they served as training aircraft. One plane ended up in the Hungarian Air Force, where it was used to pull gliders at an aeroclub after military trials.
None of the P.11a aircraft survived to this day.
The only surviving P.11c aircraft is in the Aviation Museum in Krakow, Poland; it was produced in 1935 and belonged to the 121st Fighter Squadron (side number 2 and sub-wing number 39-K).
- Want to learn more about this magnificent aircraft ? See HERE.
Plastic model to be glued together by IBG. The kit does not include paint and glue.
Specifications:
- scale: 1/72
- product code: 72517
- manufacturer: IBG Models
For more information about the model, photos and descriptions, visit the manufacturer's website (link in the tab above).
A bit of history on the video:
P.11 in the museum:
Taxiing, firing, engine operation....: