WAK 05-2015 PWS-10

The PWS-10 was a Polish mixed-construction fighter in the high-wing configuration with a classic-fixed landing gear, from the interwar period. The drive was provided by a single engine Lorraine-Dietrich LD-12Eb with power up to 450 HP. The plane was flown in 1930, and the serial production was carried out in the years 1931-1932. The deck armament consisted of two 7.92 mm machine guns. PWS-10 was the first mass-produced Polish fighter. It was developed by two engineers: A. Grzędzielski and A. Bobek-Zdaniewski. The machine was created to replace the obsolete SPAD 61C1 aircraft in Polish aviation. Compared to its predecessor, it received a much more solid and durable structure as well as it was powered by a proven and rather reliable engine. However, due to its rather poor maneuverability, it was quickly recognized as a transitional machine - until the introduction of the PZL P.7. About 20 PWS-10 machines were sold to Spain, where they took part in the civil war in that country (1936-1939). A few of them took part in the September campaign, but only performed patrol flights.