PZL P.6
The PZL P.6 was a Polish fighter, designed by the engineer Zygmunt Puławski, manufactured by PZL (the state-owned aviation institute) in 1930.
The history of PZL P.7 started in 1928, when a talented designer, Zygmunt Puławski designed an all-metal metal-covered monoplane fighter PZL P.1. It introduced a high gull wing, giving a pilot an optimal view. P.1 was powered with an inline engine, and was flown on 25 September 1929. It developed a speed of 302 km/h, but remained a prototype, because it was decided in Poland, that a fighter should be powered with a licence produced radial engine. Therefore, the next model PZL P.6, flown in August 1930, was powered with the Bristol Jupiter VI FH radial engine. Both aircraft met with a huge interest in the world. Their wing design was called the "Polish wing" or "Pulawski wing". During a presentation at the Paris airshow in Le Bourget in December 1931, a military press recognized P.6 as one of the world's top fighters. Then, the prototype P.6 won the American National Air Races in August-September 1931.
The PZL P.6 did not enter production, because the next improved variant PZL P.7 was developed. The first prototype was basically the P.6 with a stronger engine Bristol Jupiter VII F. Thanks to a charger, it showed better performance on higher altitudes. The prototype was first flown in October 1930. After some changes, most noticeably adding a wide Townend ring to the engine and making a tail slimer, the second prototype was accepted for a production with a designation P.7a.
The protoype of P.6 crushed in autumn 1931 near Częstochowa.
