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| PZL-23B Karas | ||
|---|---|---|
PZL.23 Karas -the third prototype PZL.23/III | ||
| Description | ||
| Role | Light bomber and reconnaissance | |
| Crew | 3 | |
| First Flight | 1934 | |
| Entered Service | 1936 | |
| Manufacturer | PZL | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 9.68 m | in |
| Wingspan | 13.95 m | in |
| Height | 3.3 m | in |
| Wing area | 26.8 m² | ft² |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | 1,980 kg | lb |
| Loaded | 2,893 kg | lb |
| Maximum takeoff | 3,526 kg | lb |
| Powerplant | ||
| Engines 1 x | Bristol Pegasus | |
| Power 1 x | Pegasus (Mk VIII) | |
| kW | 650 hp | |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | 319 km/h | mph |
| Combat range | 1,260 km | miles |
| Ferry range | km | miles |
| Service ceiling | 7,300 m 3,000 m (PZL-23A) | |
| Rate of climb | 6.7 m/s | ft/min |
| Wing loading | 108 kg/m² | lb/ft² |
| Power/Mass | kW/kg | hp/lb |
| Armament | ||
| Guns | 3 x machine guns: 1 x 7.92mm fixed in nose 1 x 7.7mm in rear upper station 1 x 7.7mm in underbelly station | |
| Bombs | 700 kg | lbs |
The PZL.23 Karas was the Polish light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, designed in the mid-1930s in the PZL factory in Warsaw. It was the main light bomber in the Polish September Campaign.
The first prototype flew in summer of 1934, designed by Stanislaw Prauss. In the third prototype, a pilot's seat was raised and the engine was lowered to obtain better view. This prototype was accepted for a production, with a name Karas (in Polish - the crucian carp ). The first series, PZL.23A was fitted with a radial engine Bristol Pegasus IIM2 (670 HP) produced in Poland under licence. Since this engine showed not fully reliable, the final variant PZL.23B was fitted with a newer Pegasus VIII (720 HP).
In 1936, there were produced 40 of PZL.23A. Because of engine faults, their service ceiling was limited and they were next moved to air schools. Between 1936 and 1938 there were produced 210 of PZL.23B. They became a main armament of Polish bomber and reconnaissance escadres, in the 1930's called "line escadres", replacing Breguet 19 and Potez 25 .
For export purposes, there was developed variant PZL.43 with a stronger engine Gnome-Rhone. It had better characteristics, than PZL.23 (maximum speed - 365 km/h), and the pilot had 2 machineguns shooting forward, instead of 1. Bulgaria bought 12 PZL.43 with engine Gnome-Rhone 14 Kirs (900-930 HP). Then, Bulgaria ordered 42 PZL.43A with engine Gnome-Rhone 14N01 (950-1020 HP), but only 36 were delivered before the war. At that time, Poland developed a new light bomber, PZL.46 Sum, but only one prototype was completed before the war, in 1938. There was also an experimental variant of Karas, PZL.42, with double tail fin and modified bombardier gondola, hiding into the hull.
In 1939, the plane was not a modern one. Its main fault was low speed, its manoeuvreability was not high as well. At the outbreak of the World War II, on September 1, 1939, Poland had 118 PZL.23B in combat units (further 50 PZL.23B and 35 PZL.23A were in air schools or under repairs). PZL.23B were used in 5 bomber escadres of the Bomber Brigade and 7 Army reconnaissance escadres, each with 10 aircraft (other escadres of the Bomber Brigade were equipped with PZL.37 LosThe PZL-37 Los (in Polish: Los was the Polish twin-engine medium bomber, used in the Polish September Campaign in 1939. It was one of the most modern bombers in the world before the Second World War. Development It was designed in the mid-1930s in the PZL). They actively took part in the Polish September Campaign. Some planes were also used in a wartime improvised units.
On September 2, 1939, one PZL.23B of the 21st escadre bombed a factory in OlawaOlawa ( German Ohlau is a town in southwestern Poland with 31,800 inhabitants (1995). Situated in the Lower Silesian Voivodship (since 1999), previously in Wroclaw Voivodship (1975-1998). Olawa began to develop during the early 12th century at a site that as the first bomb attack on the German territory. The bomber escadres attacked German armoured columns, while the main mission of Army escadres was flying in a reconnaissance. All PZL.23 were suffering big losses due to low speed, lack of armour and fighter protection. Many were shot down by the German fighter planes, but they also shot down a few. Some 20 aircraft crashed on rough field airfields. The 5 escadres of the Bomber Brigade delivered about 52-60 tons of bombs during the campaign, the Army escadres brought about dozen tons of bombs as well. About 90% of PZL.23 were destroyed in 1939. In a campaign, also 2 PZL.43A were used in the 41st Escadre, left from Bulgarian order.
11 PZL.23B and about 20 PZL.23A were withdrawn in 1939 to RomaniaRomania (formerly spelled Rumania or Roumania is a country in southeastern Europe. Romania is bordered by Ukraine and Moldova in the northeast, Hungary and Serbia in the west and Bulgaria to the south. Romania also has a small sea coast on the Black Sea. and then used by the Romanian aiforce against the USSR. 50 PZL.43 and PZL.43A (2 were delivered by the Germans) were used in Bulgaria for training until 1946, with a name "Chaika". None of PZL.23 existed in Poland after the war.