PZL P.7a fighter model

The aircraft model was made of resin in 1:48 scale from the Toro Model set. Apart from set it were also used other parts: fairing made by modeller, photo-etched parts and decals.

The PZL P.7a was a Polish-made aircraft, entirely made of metal and powered by a 9-cylinder radial engine with a power of 480 HP (358 kW). Serial production was started in 1932 and 149 machines were built.

The fighter, the model of which is shown in the photos, belonged to the 111th Fighter Escadrille of the 1st Air Regiment. The squadron was stationed in Warsaw at the Okęcie airport. The PZL P.7a planes were in its equipment in the years 1932-1934. The successor of the "seven" in the Polish aviation was the PZL P.11 plane, which was introduced into service in 1935. However, until the beginning of the war, it was not failed to replace all aircraft. During the September campaign (1939), there were still about 100 PZL P.7a machines in operation.

The fighter was armed with two 7.92 mm machine guns mounted in the fuselage. Each rifle had a stock of 700 cartridges.

Specifications:

• Wingspan: 10.57 m (34.68 ft),
• Length: 6.98 m (22.9 ft),
• Height: 2.69 m (8.83 ft),
• Max speed at 4000 m (13,120 ft): 327 km/h (203 mph),
• Rate of climb: 10.4 m/s (2040 ft/min),
• Service ceiling: 8500 m (27,900 ft),
• Range: 600 km (373 mi),
• Empty weight: 1090 kg (2403 lb),
• Takeoff weight: 1476 kg (3254 lb).

Sources:

• https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/PZL_P.7
• https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/111_Eskadra_My%C5%9Bliwska

22 May 2019