PZL P.1
PZL · Poland · first flew 1929 · fighter
The PZL P.1 was the prototype that launched Poland's celebrated series of high-wing gull-wing monoplane fighters, designed by Zygmunt Puławski and first flown in 1929. Its distinctive 'Puławski wing' — a high-mounted gull wing — became the signature of the entire PZL fighter family.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.98 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
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Spot it by:
- Polish gull-wing high-wing monoplane fighter — first of the famous PZL 'Polish parasol' fighter series
- Distinctive inverted-gull or gull-wing high-wing configuration with inline engine
- Prototype that established the PZL fighter lineage leading to the P.7, P.11, and P.24
High-mounted gull wing with tapered tips, a liquid-cooled inline engine, fixed spatted undercarriage, and open cockpit — the founding prototype of the distinctive PZL fighter family.
Specifications
- The PZL P.1 has a length of 6.98 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.85 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 302 km/h (188 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Zygmunt Puławski created the P.1 as his first fighter design for the newly established PZL state aircraft factory, and the gull-wing high-wing configuration proved to give excellent forward visibility from the cockpit while maintaining low drag. The P.1 did not enter production but directly led to the P.6, P.7, and ultimately the P.11 that served in the September 1939 campaign.
Variants
The P.1 was a single prototype; subsequent marks (P.6, P.7, P.11, P.24) were its direct descendants.
Where you'll see it
Never entered service as a prototype; its significance is entirely as the progenitor of Poland's interwar fighter line.
Related aircraft
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