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Łukasz Matuszczak
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PZL P.11c 141 fighter squadron from Toruń 1939

June 30, 2020 · in Aviation · · 18 · 2K

From the author: I build the p 11c form (Polish manufacturer). The scale is 1/72. The paint set was Hataka set for Polish aircraft. The kit was very nice. I the price of EUR13 we get 4 painting scheme, nice surface details, masking for canopy and (what is best) photoetched parts. It was a pleasure to build that one and for sure I will go for some next Arma Hobby model kit.

The PZL P.11
was a Polish fighter aircraft, designed and constructed during the early 1930s by Warsaw-based aircraft manufacturer PZL. Possessing an all-metal structure, metal-covering, and high-mounted gull wing, the type held the distinction of being widely considered to have briefly been the most advanced fighter aircraft of its kind in the world.
The design of the P.11 commenced during the late 1920s, initially designated as the P.1. The primary individual responsible for its development was Polish aeronautical engineer Zygmunt Puławski, who has been attributed as having designed many of its innovative features. While the majority of the world's forces were still using biplanes, the P.1 used a high-mounted and aerodynamically clean gull wing, which provided the pilot with a superior field of view. During September 1929, the first prototype conducted its maiden flight. The design quickly drew international attention; the general layout became commonly known as the "Polish wing" or "Puławski wing".
The P.11 served as Poland's primary fighter defense throughout the 1930s, including during the Polish campaign of 1939 by neighboring Germany. However, as a consequence of the rapid advances in aircraft design during the late 1930s, it was outclassed by its rivals at the onset of the war. The majority of the Polish Air Force's P.11s were destroyed during 1939; however, it is believed that as many as 36 were flown to Romania and were subsequently taken over by the Romanian Air Force.
The P.11 was a considerable export success. During October 1933, deliveries of Polish-built P.11bs to Romania commenced. From 1936, Romanian aircraft manufacturer Industria Aeronautică Română (IAR) constructed a further 95 aircraft under the designation of IAR P.11f, powered by the Romanian-built IAR 9Krse engine. A dedicated export model of the P.11, which was designated as the PZL P.24, was developed during the late 1930s. Reportedly, Greece, Portugal, Yugoslavia, Turkey and Republican Spain were at one point interested in procuring the P.11; these eventually resulted in several nations, including Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey purchased the P.24 instead.

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9 additional images. Click to enlarge.


18 responses

  1. This is a very nice build Lukasz.
    Nice details on the cockpit as well.
    Good job.

  2. This is not an aircraft I knew much about before now. Thanks for the post and nice job on the model.

  3. Not my scale, but if Arma Hobby would scale up this little gem of a kit I would definitely buy one, there’s something graceful in this gull wing little fighter. Great work here Lucasz!

  4. Great detail work, Lukasz! Good paintwork too.

  5. Very sharp work on this!

  6. Very nice work on this and a great result.

  7. That's an excellent build of a graceful plane, Lukasz!
    Got two Mirage Hobby 1/48 P-24 "in Greek service" to build!
    Your build is a nice temptation!

  8. Sorry for not responding individually but my work-load is huge at this moment. Thanks @fiveten, @tcinlafor, @dtravis, @gkittinger, @ j-healy for the support. It means a lot, especially that you guys are much more experienced.

  9. Very nice! I've liked the PZL P11C for many years; I even won a local IPMS contest with one that I built way back in high school.

    I just built the Arma Hobby kit myself, which I really liked. My arthritic fingers weren't up to using much of the really tiny stuff that comes with the kit, but even without it the model looks really nice (at least to my old guy eyes at about 3 feet away!).

    I'm in the process of building up my Polish airforce, so I'm now working on Arma Hobby's PZL P.7A, which looks to be as good as the PZL P11.

  10. Very beautiful airplane very realistic construction, congratulations.

  11. Beautiful model! Super cockpit. I'm just not sure if he really should have machine guns in his wings. Are there any reasons for this? As far as I know, most flew with only two.

    • Dear @lis, I am posting the original photo of the aircraft. It was taken about half of a year ago in Cracov Aircraft Museum.
      The answer is: Yes, it should have machine guns in his wings:)
      Best regards

      1 attached image. Click to enlarge.

      • OK:-) This is aircaft with the same number?

        • So, now we are in the same page:). The reference for my build was only one existing (as far as I am aware of) pice of aircraft from Cracow muzeum. There is no exect photo of number 55 in the archive. I found some archive picture of 50 without guns, but this is Pzl P-7

          1 attached image. Click to enlarge.

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