PZL 45 "SOKOL"

PZL.45 Sokół was a project of a Polish light fighter with an all-metal structure, in the low wing configuration, with a fixed landing gear. The drive was provided by a single engine Gnome-Rhone Mars 14M05 with a maximum power of 760 hp. The armament was to consist of 4 7.92 mm PWU wz.36 machine guns. The PZL.45 Sokół was to be built as a supplement to the more advanced PZL.50 Jastrząb fighter. It was planned that the PZL.45 would be a much lighter machine, with a weaker engine, lower for operation from field airfields. The advantage in air combat was to be ensured by considerable maneuverability and high speed of climb. It was also planned to use less advanced technologies in its construction, e.g. a fixed landing gear instead of retractable in flight. By 1938, the analytical work was completed, and at the beginning of 1939, a model of the aircraft was made. The flight of the prototype was planned for the beginning of 1940, but the outbreak of the war prevented the implementation of these plans. However, considering the assumed performance of the PZL.45, it was clearly inferior to foreign designs, especially the German Me-109E.