Polish PZL P.11a; escaped to Latvia, 17 SEP 1939

Arvo L. V. · #1

Esteemed forum members;

In the book, "PZL P.11c" ("Yellow Series" Nr. 6108) by the right honourables BELCARZ/KOPANSKI, page 60, Mushroom Publications, ISBN 83-917178-5-2, 2003, it is stated that a PZL P.11a "escaped" to Latvia on 17 September 1939.

I'm trying to locate some more exacting information on this particular aircraft, and would like to know if any photographs of the a/c in question exist in either Polish, Latvian or V-VS markings (and which can be shared with me) - and to which Polish squadron the "escaping" PZL P.11a may have been asigned to. Information re the Polish pilot would also be welcome. My goal is to prepare some color art work on this a/c.

Thank you kindly in advance for any assistance efforts, which may be rendered on my behalf.

Regards;

Arvo

henryk · #2

http://latvianaviation.com/C1939.html
This site does not show a September 17 arrival. Perhaps it was a September 17 departure and September 18 arrival.

September 18 72 Polish aircraft, escaping the German invasion of Poland, land at Daugavpils

Stephan · #3

it says 72(!) planes, not one. Ie one plane 17, this plane in question, and 72 (possibly 71 others) next day...

This being a grandiose news.

henryk · #4

http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/post-118964.html

After 17th Sept. there was no interaction between Polish and Russian aircraft, mostly because of the fact, that by this day the Polish Air Force was completely destroyed or evacuated mostly to Romania. Only three (3) P.11 (2 P.11c and one P.11a) were still in service in Poland. On 18th of Sept. one of the P.11c was badly damaged and abandoned. The second one was evacuated to Hungary and the P.11a to Latvia.
(Info took from "Polskie lotnictwo mysliwskie w boju wrzesniowym" by J. B. Cynk.)

Perhaps some one can look in Cynk's book, referenced above.
Other Cynk books, in English: History of the Polish Air Force, 1918-1968 / Jerzy B. Cynk. Osprey Publishing Ltd., [c1972].
Polish Aircraft, 1893-1939 / Jerzy B. Cynk. - Publisher London : Putnam, 1971. -