PZL P.7
PZL · Poland · first flew 1930 · fighter
The PZL P.7 was a Polish single-seat gull-wing monoplane fighter that formed the backbone of Poland's fighter arm in the early 1930s. Its distinctive high-mounted gull wing gave pilots excellent forward visibility over the engine.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.16 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Polish high-gull-wing monoplane fighter with distinctive seagull wing shape
- Single radial engine, fixed undercarriage, gull wing drooping to a horizontal outer panel
- Open cockpit, all-metal construction, pointed spinner
The gull wing — rising steeply from the fuselage then angling outward and downward — is unmistakable and unique to the PZL family; combined with the open cockpit and radial engine, identification is straightforward.
Specifications
- The PZL P.7 has a length of 7.16 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.3 m (34 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 317 km/h (197 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by Zygmunt Puławski at PZL and entering service in 1932, the P.7 was the first in a series of gull-wing fighters that made Polish aviation internationally renowned in the early 1930s. It won admiration for its elegant design and performance.
Variants
The P.7a was the main production version; the P.7 led directly to the improved P.11 and P.24 which used a similar gull-wing formula.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Polish Air Force through the 1930s; by September 1939 most P.7s had been relegated to training, with the more capable P.11 equipping front-line squadrons.
Related aircraft
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