You know that:
- The designer Stanislaw Prauss began work on the light bomber in 1932 at the request of the Polish Ministry of Defence.
- The model for the new aircraft was a six-seat model PZL-13 from which the basic design elements were used.
- The first prototype flew in August 1934, but the tests were not very successful. The massive engine bay restricted the view from the cockpit so much that any landing was a risk. So the designers had to go back to work and redesign.
- The second prototype of 1935 was much more successful. All further comments were incorporated into the third prototype, which already met all the required parameters. Series production began the same year.
- The first 40 units were delivered to the combat units in mid-1936. And it wasn't a bad aircraft at all.
- When Germany and the Soviet Union invaded Poland, to the surprise of the German commanders, German columns advancing eastward were bombed. However, German superiority was overwhelming and 90% of the Polish aircraft were destroyed. That is why to this day the PZL.23 aircraft is also a symbol of indomitable resistance for the Poles.
- About 250 were produced in several versions.
- The production price at the time was 125,000 zloty.
Technical parameters:
- dimensions: wingspan 13.95 m, length 9.68 m, height 3.30 m
- maximum take-off weight 3 525 kg
- power plant PZL Bristol PEGAZ VIII 522 kW radial engine
- maximum speed 319 km/h
- maximum flight level 7 300 m
- climb rate 6,7 m/s
- fuel tank capacity 770 l
- range 1 260 km
- armament 700 kg of suspended bombs, PWU WZ.33 machine gun of 7.92 mm calibre and 2x Vickers F machine gun of 7.92 mm calibre
- crew pilot, navigator and rear gunner
Kapitán Wladyslaw Gniewosz about the PZL.23:
"Flying the Karas was dangerous, but it was our best bomber and we knew we had to do it for our freedom. I'll never forget the looks on my friends' faces when we were getting ready for a bombing mission."
Assembly instructions
