PZL P-24

[Wurger]

Originally Posted by Chocks away!

Concerning the Pzl p.24, the Polish airforce made a huge mistake not adopting it in time for the German invasion. It was superior to the p.11 that they used , but they didn't put it into service as they were waiting for the p.50 to be produced.

The PZL P-24 was not used by PAF for some reasons.The first was the cost of P-24.The cost of the plane was higher then P-11 with Bristol Jupiter engine which was produced in Poland by PZL engine factory.For instance, in 1936 the cost of P-11 was 63,5 thousand zloty for an aircraft frame,95 thousand zloty for an engine,14 thousand for armament and 6 thousand for radio-set.Generaly 178,5 thousand zloty for each plane.So P-24 which was better equipped with GR 14N7 engine ( wasn't produced in Poland) and better armament than P-11 had to cost much more.According to some articles in Polish magazines ,in 1935 The commander of PAF Gen. L.Rayski was informed that there weren't founds in 1936/37 and 1937/38 years for fighter production.As a result the talks about P-24 suplies for the PAF could start in 1938 ( in fact 1937 ).
The second reason was that the P-24 was intended for export only to obtain founds for PZL factory for new designs and production.
The third reason was that "the Polish wing" didn't become more popular in the world.The western countries started assembling new low-wing aircrafts that were equipped with new engines 950-1200 HP giving them speed over 530 km/h.Even if the P-24 would be powered by a 1200 HP engine its speed couldn't cut across 530 km/h probably.Therefore the new plane ,designed with contemporary in that period of time ideas ,was needed.The P-50 could be a good solution but the design was started too late and there wasn't sure if the one could be equel to the modern German BF-109E.