PZL.38 Wilk

PZL.38 Wilk

Manufacturer: Państwowe Zakłady Lotnicze
First flight: 1938
Status: Prototype
Primary user: Polish Air Force
Number built: 2 (prototypes)
Variants: PZL.48 Lampart

The PZL.38 Wilk ("wolf") (PZL-38) was a Polish fighter-bomber developed and manufactured by PZL state factory in 1937.

Design and development

In 1934 the Polish Air Force ordered a new multi-role heavy fighter-bomber. It was initially supposed to replace fighters in both pursuit and escort duties and light bombers (at that time, such idea was popular in the world, what resulted in aircraft, like Bf 110). In an internal PZL competition a design of the engineer Franciszek Misztal won and was given the designation PZL.38 Wilk. In this construction was used diminished aerodynamic profile and configuration from medium bomber PZL.37 Łoś. The powerplant was to be 490-hp lightweight V-engine PZL Foka (seal), designed by Stanisław Nowkuński of Polish Skoda Works (then PZL WS-1). Unfortunately, Nowkuński died in Tatry mountains on 30 July 1936 and work on the engine slowed down. Due to technical problems, overheating and vibration, it was decided to use a foreign engine.

In 1937 two prototypes of PZL.38 were built. The second one (PZl.38/II) received the American Ranger SGV-770B engines (420-450 hp), which were less powerful than the PZL "Foka" engine. As a result the prototype didn't meet expected performance. The second prototype flew first in April or May 1936. The first prototype PZl.38/I, received the PZL Foka engine. The airplane was shown in 1938 at the Paris Air Show. It was flown only in February or March 1939 and also did not meet expected performance (estimated maximum speed was 465 km/h, while it hardly reached 400 km/h). It was also too heavy (2155 kg instead of 1715 kg) and had too small useful load. Because of these facts, further development of PZL.38 "Wilk" aircraft and "Foka" engine was abandoned in the Spring of 1939, in a favour of the new construction PZL.48 "Lampart" - which was a modification of "Wilk" with radial engines.

Operational history

After the German invasion of Poland, both prototypes were not able to fly and remained in factory at Okęcie in Warsaw. They were captured by the Germans in a damaged state, their further fate is not known.

Operators

Poland

Polish Air Force

Specifications

Description

It was a twin-engine low-wing cantilever monoplane of metal construction, metal covered. The fuselage was semi-monocoque, elliptic in cross-section. The crew of two - pilot and rear gunner/bombardier/observer sat under separate canopies, far from each other, fitted with dual controls. A canopy of pilot's cockpit opened aside. Three part wing, outer parts were built around light closed profiles. Wings fitted with slats and split flaps. Twin vertical stabilizers. Engines in underwing nacelles. Retractable landing gear, with main wheels retracting into engine nacelles, and a rear skid. Three-blade variable (P.38/I) or two-blade fixed propellers (PZL.38/II). Fuel tanks in wings - 500 l. Armament: fixed 20 mm FK-A gun (planned) and two 7.92 mm PWU wz.36 machineguns in the fuselage nose, twin 7.92 mm PWU wz.37 machinegun of a rear gunner, hiding in the fuselage. It could carry one 300-kg bomb.

General characteristics

Crew: 2, pilot, rear gunner/bombardier
Length: 8.35 m ()
Wingspan: 11.05 m ()
Height: 2.50 m ()
Wing area: 20.4 m� (ft�)
Empty weight: 2,155 kg ()
Loaded weight: 2,800 kg ()
Useful load: 645 kg ()
Powerplant: 2x� PZL Foka air-cooled 8-cylinder V-engine, 490 hp () each

Performance

Maximum speed: 400 km/h /estimated 465 km/h
Range: 850 km ()
Service ceiling: 9,000 m estimated ()
Rate of climb: 8 m/s estimated ()
Wing loading: 137 kg/m� ()

Armament

1 x 20 mm FK-A cannon fixed in nose
2 x 7.92 mm PWU wz.36 machine guns fixed in nose
2 x 7.92 mm PWU wz.37 machine guns movable at the upper rear
300 kg bombs

Glass, Andrzej. Polskie Konstrukcje Lotnicze 1893-1939 (Polish aviation constructions 1893-1939). Warsawa, Poland: WKiŁ, 1977. (Polish language, no ISBN)
Glass, Andrzej. PZL 38 Wilk. Warsawa, Poland: Wydawnictwo Militaria, 1995. ISBN 83-86209-41-0. (Polish language)

PZL.38 Wilk Pictures and PZL.38 Wilk for Sale.

Living Warbirds: The best warbirds DVD series.

Source: WikiPedia