#pzl37los

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PZL.37 Los Evaluated by the Soviet Union

After the Soviet invasion of Poland in September 1939, the Soviet Union captured several PZL.37 Łoś bombers. These aircraft were subjected to evaluation by the Soviet Air Force’s Research Institute (NII VVS). The exact number of Łoś bombers tested by the Soviet Union is not definitively documented, but at least two aircraft were captured.

The Soviet evaluation of the PZL.37 Łoś commenced on 13 October 1939. By that time, the aircraft had accumulated 97.8 flight hours, completed 519 landings, and its Bristol Pegasus XII engines had been operated for 134 hours. Due to the aircraft’s extensive use, it was considered to be in a state of significant wear, and mechanical issues, particularly with the engine group, were frequently encountered. To enhance crew safety, the take-off weight was reduced to 6,516 kg from the normal 8,570 kg.

The Soviet evaluation of the PZL.37 Łoś concluded in December 1939. Following this assessment, the aircraft was reportedly stored, and probably scrapped soon after.

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PZL.37 Łoś Evaluated by Germany

The PZL.37 Łoś (“Moose”) was a Polish twin-engine medium bomber developed in the mid-1930s by Państwowe Zakłady Lotnicze (PZL). It was among the most advanced bombers of its time, featuring a sleek aerodynamic design and innovative features such as retractable landing gear and a twin-tail configuration. Despite its potential, the Łoś had limited production and was primarily used in the defense of Poland during the German invasion in 1939.

Following the German invasion of Poland in September 1939, a number of PZL.37 Łoś bombers were captured. The limited number captured was partly due to Polish efforts to prevent the Germans from acquiring these aircraft. In October 1939, Polish workers in factories at Okęcie and Mielec scrapped approximately 30 PZL.37s under the pretext of cleaning up the area before the German authorities could inspect them.

The captured aircraft were sent to the Luftwaffe’s test centre at Rechlin for evaluation. One of these aircraft crashed during testing in May 1940, resulting in the death of its crew.

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PZL.37 Łoś in Romanian Service

26 PZL.37 bombers were withdrawn to Romania after the fall of Poland, and after that seized and used in the 4th Group of the Romanian Airforce consisting of the 76th and 77th bomber escadres. Approximately 23 were incorporated in the Romanian Air Force. Inexperience with the PZL.37’s handling and its high wing loading, along with to engine faults led to around a third of the 23 actually accepted into service being lost in accidents.

From 22 June 1941 the 15 remaining aircraft were used during the invasion of the Soviet Union. A lack of spare parts forced their withdrawal in October 1941, after which the survivors were used for training.

The 76th escadrille returned to active duty in April 1944 with nine aircraft, but was withdrawn again on 3 May 1944.

More photos here.