Poland's PZL P.37, PZL P.37 B, medium bomber
Nickname: Los (elk)
Photos
PZL P.37 Los bomber:  |
|||
PZL P.37 Los bomber: |
Design
The PZL P.37 Los was an exceptional bomber for its time and attracted much foreign interest before World War II started.1,2 The P.37 was designed in 1934.1,2
The PZL P.37 was made from metal.2
Landing Gear
The landing gear of the PZL P.37 was retractable.2
Prototype
A contract for three prototypes was placed in 1935.1
The P.37/I prototype first flew in June 1936.1,2
Production
- Prototypes: 31
- PZL P.37A: 101
- PZL P.37Abis: 201
- PZL P.37B: ~701
- Total: 1002, ~1031
- Manufacturer: Pantswowe Zaklady Lotnicze (PZL)2
Variants
- PZL P.37/I: Prototype.1 Had two Pegasus XII engines.1 Single fin.1
- PZL P.37/II: Prototype.1 Had two Pegasus XX engines.1 Single fin.1
- PZL P.37/III: Prototype.1 Had two Gnome-Rhône engines.1 Double fin and rudder.1
- PZL P.37A: Had a single fin.1 Deliveries started in spring 1938.2
- PZL P.37Abis: Had twin fins.1
- PZL P.37B: Canopy was revised.1 Undercarriage now had twin wheels.1 Entered service in late 1938.1,2
- PZL P.37C: To fill foreign orders.1 Had two Gnome-Rhône engines.1
- PZL P.37D: To fill foreign orders.1 Had two Gnome-Rhône engines.1
- PZL P.49 Mi (teddy bear): Prototype.1 Had 1,200 - 1,600 HP engines.1 Prototype was under construction when Germans invaded.1
Usage
Poland and Romania used the PZL P.37 Los.1
Public Appearances
In 1938 the PZL P.37 was shown at the Belgrade Air Show and the Paris Salon.2
Orders
The P.37C and P.37D were ordered by:
- Bulgaria: 151
- Romania: 301
- Turkey: 101
- Yugoslavia: 201
These were to be delivered in June 1940 but World War II started well before then.1
Defense of Poland
There were approximately 362 / 45 operational P.37s when Germany invaded.1 Over the next two weeks 26 were destroyed.1
The survivors were evacuated to Romania and were used by the Romanian Air Force on the Eastern Front.1
After World War II
Several P.37s survived the war with the Romanians and were used as target tugs into the late 1950s.1
Specifications
| PZL P.37 Los1 | PZL P.37A Los1 | PZL P.37B Los1, PZL P.37 B2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Medium bomber1 | Medium bomber1 | Bomber2, Medium bomber1 |
| Crew | 41 | 41 | 41,2 |
| Engine (Type) | 2: PZL (Bristol) Pegasus XIIB1 | 2: PZL Pegasus XX1 2: PZL-Bristol Pegasus XIIB2 |
|
| Cylinders | Radial 91 | Radial 92 | |
| Cooling | |||
| Net HP | 875 each1 | 873 each2, 925 each1 | |
| Propeller blades | 3 each1 | 3 each1 | |
| Dimensions | |||
| Span | 58' 11"1 17.96 m1 |
58' 10"2 | |
| Length | 42' 4.5"1 12.91 m1 |
42' 5"2 | |
| Height | 16' 8"1 5.08 m1 |
16' 8"2 | |
| Wing area | |||
| Weight | |||
| Empty | 9,436 lb1 4,280 kg1 |
||
| Loaded | 19,621 lb1, 19,680 lb2 8,900 kg1 |
||
| Performance | |||
| Speed @ 11,154' | 276 mph2 | ||
| Speed @ 11,155' / 3,400 m |
277 mph1 445 kph1 |
||
| Climb | |||
| Service ceiling | 19,680'2, 19,685'1 6,000 m1 |
||
| Range | 932 miles2 | ||
| Maximum range | 2,796 miles1 4,500 km1 |
||
| Range with 4850 lb / 2,200 kg load |
932 miles1 1,500 km1 |
||
| Armament | 3: MG2 | ||
| Nose | 1: 7.7 mm MG1 | ||
| Dorsal | 1: 7.7 mm MG1 | ||
| Ventral | 1: 7.7 mm MG1 | ||
| Bombs | 9,436 lb1 4,280 kg1 |
5,688 lb2 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
- World War II Airplanes Volume 1, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976
