PZL.38 Wilk
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| PZL.38 Wilk | |
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 PZL.38 Wilk prototype |
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| Type | Fighter-bomber aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Państwowe Zakłady Lotnicze |
| Maiden 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.
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[edit] 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 was weaker. As a result the prototype didn't meet expected performance. The secoond prototype flew first in April or May 1936. The first prototype PZl.38/I, got the PZL Foka engines. It 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, work upon PZL.38 and Foka engine was canceled in spring of 1939, in a favour of PZL.48 Lampart - a development of Wilk with radial engines.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Operators
[edit] Specifications
[edit] 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 m² (ft²)
- Empty weight: 2,155 kg ()
- Loaded weight: 2,800 kg ()
- Useful load: 645 kg ()
- Powerplant: 2× 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/m² ()
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
[edit] References
- 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)
[edit] External links
- PZL.38 translated description, photos and drawings at Ugolok Neba
- Polish site with information about the PZL 38 at iirp.prv.pl
[edit] See also
Related development PZL.48 Lampart - PZL.54 Ryś
Comparable aircraft Messerschmitt Bf 110 - Potez 230 - Fokker G.I - Kawasaki Ki-45
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