The PZL P.11a was an early Polish fighter derived from Zygmunt Puławski’s P.6 design. After Puławski’s death in 1931, engineer Wsiewołod Jakimiuk continued development, adapting the airframe for a 700-hp engine. Despite ongoing modifications, prototypes performed well in international competitions, raising global interest in Polish aircraft.
In 1933 the P.11a, powered by a Bristol Mercury IV engine, was created for the Polish Air Force. An initial order of 30 aircraft grew to 50, though production was delayed by Romanian orders for the P.11b. The P.11a entered service in 1934 and remained in frontline Polish fighter units through the 1939 campaign. Some surviving aircraft were interned in Romania for training use, and one later served in Hungary as a glider tug. No P.11a survives today.
The PZL.23 Karaś was a Polish light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. The PZL.23A version entered production in 1936 with 40 aircraft built, followed by the improved PZL.23B (240 built) between 1936 and 1938. While combat units received the B variant, the A version was relegated to training. The Karaś served as Poland’s primary light bomber during the 1939 German invasion. A modernized successor, the PZL.42, was attempted but only one prototype was completed.