PZL 23
| PZL.23 Karaś | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| The third prototype PZL.23/III | |
| Role | Light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Państwowe Zakłady Lotnicze |
| First flight | 1 April 1934 |
| Introduction | 1936 |
| Retired | 1946 |
| Primary users |
Polish Air Force Bulgarian Air Force |
| Produced | 1936 - 1938 |
| Number built | 250 (+3 prototypes) |
| Variants | PZL.43 Karaś |
The PZL.23 Karaś (crucian carp) was a Polish light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft designed in the mid-1930s by PZL in Warsaw. It was the primary Polish reconnaissance bomber in use during the Invasion of Poland.
The aircraft was developed in 1931 to replace Breguet 19 and Potez 25 aircraft in the Polish Air Force. Designer Stanisław Prauss based the new recon bomber on a proposed passenger transport plane that never saw into production, the PZL.13. The PZL.23 design was a modern all-metal body with wings built around light closed profiles instead of spars (introduced first in PZL.19). The P.23/I first prototype flew on 1 April 1934, followed by the second P.23/II prototype.
In the third P.23/III prototype of 1935, the pilot's seat was raised and the engine lowered to improve sight lines. This prototype was accepted for production, with the name Karaś. The first series, PZL.23A was fitted with a Bristol Pegasus IIM2 radial engine of 670 hp (500 kW) produced in Poland under licence. Since this engine proved to be unreliable, the final variant PZL.23B was fitted with a newer Pegasus VIII of 720 hp (537 kW).
The aircraft was a low-wing cantilever monoplane of all-metal, metal-covered construction. The crew of three consisted of a pilot, a bombardier, and a rear gunner. The bombardier's combat station was situated in a gondola underneath the hull, where he could also operate an underbelly machine gun. The fixed undercarriage was well spatted, but despite a massive look, it was not suited for rough airfields. Bombs were carried under the wings: the maximum load was 700 kg (1,500 lb) (6 x 100 kg and 2 x 50 kg). The aircraft were equipped with one of the following engines: Bristol Pegasus IIM2 normal: 570 hp (425 kW), maximum: 670 hp (500 kW) - PZL.23A; Pegasus VIII normal: 650 hp (485 kW), maximum: 720 (537 kW) - PZL.23B. Regardless of the engine, the aircraft had a two-blade propeller.
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