PZL. 42 - POLISH LIGHT BOMBER

The PZL.42 was an experimental Polish bomber and reconnaissance aircraft with a metal structure, in the low wing configuration, with a fixed landing gear. The drive was provided by a single engine PZL Bristol Pegaz VIIIA with a power of 710 hp. The prototype flight took place in 1936. The machine never entered mass production, nor did it have a permanent armament. PZL.42 was created in connection with the efforts of Państwowe Zakłady Lotnicze to improve the performance of the PZL.23 Karaś aircraft. The new, experimental construction was based on the Karaś machine. However, many modernizations have been made on it. First of all, the fully retractable in-flight bombardier and shooting gondola was tested. The vertical tail has also been changed and has now become double (similar to the German Me-110). After the test flights, both modernizations were recommended for introduction in serial machines, while it was postulated that the mechanism for storing the nacelle was significantly refined. The experience gained from working on the PZL.42 was later applied to the PZL.46 Sum. Only one PZL.42 was created, which, after the completion of trials and experiments, was finally sent to the aviation school in Dęblin.