06-2014 PZL-38 WILK

The PZL.38 Wilk was a prototype Polish heavy fighter and multi-role all-metal low-wing aircraft. It was planned that the drive would be provided by two engines PZL Foka II with an estimated power of 420 HP each. The prototype flight took place in 1938. The machine never entered mass production. The armament was to consist of 4 PWU wz.36 or wz.37 7.92 mm machine guns and 1 FK model D 20 mm cannon. Work on the PZL.38 Wilk began in 1934, in connection with the demand of the Polish military aviation for a new, heavy fighter plane. Ultimately, it was supposed to be an aircraft capable of destroying enemy bombers (hence the strong on-board armament), but also having good maneuverability. It was to replace the PZL P.11 planes in the line. It was also planned that the PZL.38 would function as a light bomber. In the work on the new aircraft, the PZL.37 Łoś aerodynamic profile was used, and it was planned to use new Foka II engines. Unfortunately, the work on the engines was significantly extended, as a result of which Ranger SV-770B engines of similar power, but much greater weight were used. However, the plane powered in this way did not achieve the assumed performance. The work on the Seal II engines was not completed until the outbreak of World War II, which meant that the PZL.38 Wilk also did not enter serial production. In total, only two prototypes were built, one of which was exhibited in the Berlin Museum of Communication and Technology in 1940-1944.