PZL 23B Karaś

A paper model of the Polish PZL 23B Karaś bomber was made in 1:33 scale. The photos were taken at the 10th Competition of Paper and Plastic Models in Świdnik, Poland in 2016.

The plane was intended to function as a bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. PZL 23B Karaś was produced in the years 1936-1938. It had a more powerful and less reliable engine compared to the previously produced version of A.

The PZL 23 Karaś airplanes (A and B versions) took part in the September campaign in 1939. Disadvantages such as low speed and maneuverability being made it an easy target of air defense and enemy aircraft. About 90% of the aircraft were destroyed by the enemy.

A dozen or so Karaś planes fell into the hands of the Russians, who incorporated them into their armed forces. The Germans were not interested in the captured airplanes. The aircraft evacuated by Poles to Romania were confiscated by the local authorities. The planes were used to fight against the Soviet Union when Romania sided with Germany.

Some technical data of the PZL 23B Karaś:

Construction: metal,
9-cylinder air-cooled radial engine,
Engine displacement: 28.7 liters (1751 in³),
Engine power: 705 HP (518.5 kW)
Max speed: 319 km/h (198 mph),
Wingspan: 13.95 m (45.77 ft),
Length: 9.68 m (31.76 ft),
Height: 3.3 m (10.83 ft),
Empty weight: 1,928 kg (4,251 lb),
Take-off weight: 2,893 kg (6,378 lb),
Service ceiling: 7,300 m (23,950 ft),
Range: 1,020 km (634 mi),
Number of copies produced: 240.

Armament:

one fixed 7.9 mm (0.31 in) machine gun,
two movable 7.9 mm machine guns,
guns rate of fire: 650 rounds per minute,
bombs: 700 kg (1,543 lb).

Sources:

http://www.samolotypolskie.pl/samoloty/2304/126/PZL-23-Karas2
http://www.muzeumlotnictwa.pl/zbiory_sz.php?ido=190&w=p
http://air2ww.webd.pl/polska/pzl23/pzl23.htm
http://wojsko18-39.3ap.net/wrzesien/lotnictwo/kmobserwvickers/obkmvickers.htm

23 Jul 2016

Modeller: no data

Photographer: Ender

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