PZL P.24 in Romanian Service
Romania was one of the earliest customers of the P.24, purchasing six PZL P.24E fighters in 1937 as well as a production license and built 25 E version aircraft in Romania under the local designation IAR P.24P.
The P.24Es were armed with 2 × 20 mm cannons and 2 × 7.92 mm machine guns, making them a powerful component of the Forțele Aeriene Regale ale României (Royal Romanian Air Force). They served as Romania’s frontline fighter during the late 1930s and were still in service when Romania joined the Axis invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941. Romanian P.24s provided air defence around Bucharest and the Ploieşti oilfields from attacks by Soviet bombers. P.24 fighters reportedly managed to shoot down 37 VVS bombers, which were typically unescorted and thereby more vulnerable to interception. The P.24E was also routinely used for ground attack missions until the end of 1941; however, after 1942, the type was relegated to training duties. They were phased out completely by 1943–44, replaced by more modern German and Romanian-built aircraft.