PZL.50 Jastrząb Totally Explained

Everything about Pzl 50 Jastrz B totally explained

PZL.50 Jastrząb (Hawk) was a Polish pre-war fighter aircraft designed by Wsiewołod Jakimiuk of the PZL works. A single-seat low-wing monoplane was to serve as a multi-purpose fighter and escort and replace all fighters used previously by the Polish Air Force. Designed after 1936, its prototype was first flown in February of 1939. Two prototypes were ready by the time of the Invasion of Poland, but the plane didn't enter mass production.

Design and development

In early 1930s the Polish Air Force was equipped with modern high-wing monoplanes PZL P.11, of a family designed by Zygmunt Puławski. However, by the end of decade they became obsolete, as new fighter and bomber aircraft with higher performance started to appear. In the mid-1930s, the Polish Air Force Command led by Gen. Ludomił Rayski expected, that basic new Polish fighters would be light, cheap monoplane PZL.39 and a twin-engine heavy fighter-bomber PZL.38 Wilk. The estimated performance of PZL.39 was however too low, while attractive at first glance design PZL.38 had troubles with finding proper engines and both programs had to be canceled. It became evident, that the Air Force needs a modern interceptor aircraft to defend the country. Armament Committee decided in late 1936, that Polish Air Force needed, among other, interceptor fighters. Therefore, in late 1936 Rayski ordered Wsiewołod Jakimiuk of PZL National Aviation Works in Warsaw, a lead designer of P.11, to abandon completion of the passenger airliner PZL.44 Wicher design and design a modern single-engine fighter with retractable landing gear and a speed of some 500 km/h. At the same time, Rayski picked up the British 840 hp Bristol Mercury VIII radial engine, easy to build in Poland, which had already manufactured Mercury V engines. This choice however restricted performance of the future fighter.
   The works started in late 1936. The plane was designated PZL.50 (or PZL P.50) and named Jastrząb (Hawk). The design was accepted by the Air Force Command in 1937 and two prototypes were ordered. Also, in June 1938, 300 engines Mercury VIII were ordered in the PZL, the first to be delivered in June 1939. The engine for the prototype was imported from Great Britain and fitted in September 1938. The completion of the prototype was delayed by lack of retractable landing gear, delivered by the British Dowty firm with delay (the Polish aviation authorities didn't decide to start flying tests with some temporary fixed landing gear, while the Polish industry have not produced retractable gears for light aircraft yet).
   Finally, the first prototype PZL.50/I was completed and flown in late February 1939 (pilot Jerzy Widawski). Despite being secret, on 27 February it was presented on the ground to the Italian ministry Galeazzo Ciano. Tests were carried mainly by Bolesław Orliński and several other pilots. It was revealed, that it had good handling and maneuverability, but it developed speed only 420-430 km/h, lacking radio and machine guns (in light configuration it once developed 442 km/h). Pilots complained about too low power output.
   It was first planned to order 500 P.50s, but in April 1939, new Air Force Commander gen. Kalkus and Air Defence Inspector Gen. Józef Zając estimated, that PZL.50 didn't fulfill hopes and decided to develop it further, building an improved pattern aircraft and a short series of about 25-30 aircraft only, designated P.50A. Total planned order was decreased to 200 and Poland started to look for fighters abroad, ordering 160 Morane Saulner MS 406 fighters from France.. Only in 2005 there were revealed a couple of photographs of incomplete aircraft at Czerniakowska street, made by German soldiers and a Polish amateur .

Popular culture

The PZL.50/I Jastrząb was the original aircraft used by the Blackhawk Squadron.

Versions

PZL.50/I: First prototype.

PZL.50/II: Second prototype with some fuselage shape changes and with simplified engine cowling.

PZL.50A: Planned first production batch powered by Bristol Mercury VIII engine (840 hp) and armed with 4 x 7.9 mm machine guns and 100 kg of bombs.

PZL.50B: Planned second production batch powered by Bristol Taurus III engine (1145 hp) and armed with 4 x 7.9 mm machine guns, 2 x 20 mm cannons and 300 kg of bombs.

Operators (planned)

Polish Air Force

Specifications (PZL.50/I)

Further Information

Get more info on 'Pzl 50 Jastrz B'.

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