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The main fighters defending the Polish skies against German and Soviet aggression in September 1939 were the PZL P.11c, but three squadrons, for lack of better equipment, had to go into battle on the older PZL P.7a.<\/p>\nThe main fighters defending the Polish skies against German and Soviet aggression in September 1939 were the PZL P.11c, but three squadrons, for lack of better equipment, had to go into battle on the older PZL P.7a.<\/p>\n
Although in September 1939 the \u2018Seven\u2019 was already severely outdated, when it entered Polish air force in 1932, they were the most modern fighters in the world! The all-metal monoplanes, with the reliable Bristol engine, had excellent performance, were pleasant to fly and the construction was robust and resistant to damage. Their designer, Eng. Zygmunt Pulawski, designed a truly outstanding aircraft that allowed Polish fighter aviation to be successfully modernised for several years. It was also a great export success – PZL factory sold abroad many machines with a gull wing, the P.11 and P.24, which were a direct development of the P.7.<\/p>\n
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During the September battles, the \u2018Sevens\u2019 were no longer suitable as fighters, so they were mostly used for auxiliary, reconnaissance operations. Despite this, however, they fought some spectacular air battles and even achieved victories!<\/p>\n
The 123rd Fighter Squadron from Krak\u00f3w was incorporated into the Pursuit Brigade defending Warsaw. Its most famous aircraft is \u20185\u2019 flown by Erwin Kawnik, who managed, together with its colleagues, to shoot down a Heinkel 111 bomber.<\/p>\n
PZL P.7a ppor E. Kawnika, 123 EM, 1939<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n