The P.Z.L. 50 was the most modern fighter design the Polish had at
the outbreak of WWII. Unfortunately, the prototype had not flown until
early in 1939 and no more than six unfinished airframes were available
when Germany invaded. While not as capable as the Bf 109, it was a
definite improvement over the P.Z.L. 11. The Jastrzab was of similar
capabilities to early versions of the Curtis P-36.
Prewar production plans had called for the delivery of 30 P.Z.L.
50A's in late 1939 and another 30 P.Z.L. 50B's in early 1940. While a
fairly obscure aircraft, the P.Z.L. 50/I was featured in the early
adventures of the comic book series Blackhawk Squadron (first appearing
in 1941) as the initial plane of the ace pilots.
The P.Z.L. 50A uses 31.4 gallons of aviation fuel per hour at routine usage.
Subassemblies: Medium Fighter chassis +2, Medium Fighter
Wings
+2, three retractable wheels +0.
P&P: 627-kW aerial HP gasoline engine with 627-kW prop and
88-gallon self-sealing fuel tank [Body].
Occ: 1 CS Cargo: 9.3 Body
| Armor | F | R/L | B | T | U |
| All | 2/3 | 2/3 | 2/3 | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| Cockpit | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/+30 | 0/0 | 0/+20 |
Weaponry
4¥Aircraft LMG/7.92mm PWU wz.36 [Wings:F] (500 each)*
220-lb bomb [Body:U].
* fire linked
Equipment
Body: Medium radio receiver and transmitter, navigation
instruments,
autopilot.
Statistics
| Size: 26'x32'x9' | Payload: 0.55 tons | Lwt: 2.65 tons |
| Volume: 200 vsp | Maint.: 53 hours | Price: $14,400 |
HT: 10
HP: 120 [body], 120 [each wing], 12 [each wheel]
| aSpeed: 267 |
aAccel: 7 | aDecel: 25 |
aMR: 6.25 |
aSR: 2 | |
| Stall: 69 mph |
Design Notes
The historical wing area (209 square feet) has been used. Loaded weight
was increased 9%.
Variants
The P.Z.L. 50/I was similar, but had DR 20 pilot armor and no
hardpoint. This was the only plane actually completed and flown.
The P.Z.L 50/II made minor changes but was the same as the 50/I in game terms.
The P.Z.L 50B added a 20mm Medium Aircraft AC w/60 rpg per wing, as
well as a 110-lb hardpoint under each wing. A possible 854-kW engine
would have increased aSpeed to around 325 mph, while lowering aMR to
5.75.