PZL P-8/I - Polish fighter - prototype

PZL P.8 – Polish fighter - prototype, designed by engineer Zygmunt Puławski, from the family of fighters with the so-called "Polish wing" (also known as the Puławski wing), developed and manufactured at the State Aviation Factory (Państwowe Zakłady Lotnicze - PZL). The PZL P.8 aircraft was a continuation of the concept of the Polish engineer and pilot Zygmunt Puławski, previously implemented in the PZL P.1 aircraft. Puławski had high hopes for aircraft with a linear engine, as their design is more aerodynamic, than similar aircraft with a radial engine. The first prototype was demonstrated in 1931, and the second, which was equipped with a more powerful engine, in 1932. In the same year, the first prototype participated in the International Aeronautical Exhibition in Warsaw, and the second was exhibited at the International Air Show in Paris. In 1931, engineer Puławski died in a plane crash, and the PZL P.8 project lost not only its designer, but also a significant promoter. This event, and the fact, that Poland did not plan to produce serial linear engines, led to the fact, that serial production of the PZL P.8 was never started. Instead, the PZL P.11 fighters were built. The serial version of the PZL P.8 (with the necessary modifications) was to be called the PZL P.9, and the version with the more powerful 750 hp Rolls-Royce "Kestrel" engine was to be called the PZL P.10. These aircraft also never went beyond the prototype stage and therefore were never put into production or used in the air force. It was an all-metal, high-wing, speared monoplane with the so-called "Puławski" or "Polish wing". The aircraft had a classic, two-wheeled, non-retractable landing gear with a tail strut. The cockpit was single-seat, open. The armament consisted of two 7.7 mm machine guns. The water-cooled linear engine "Hispano-Suiza 12Mc" (640 hp) or "Lorraine-Dietrich 12H" (675 hp) was installed.

A simple, well-designed and richly detailed fighter - prototype model for modelers of any experience. Only beginners and modelers with little experience are recommended to work under the supervision of a more experienced colleague, as several moments are not so easy to glue - the wing, main wheel hood's, engine hood details. There are no color stocks, the instructions - both textual (in Polish) and graphic - are excellent, easy to read, informative. The antiquarian publication.