The PZL P.7a was developed by the Polish aircraft manufacturer Państwowe Zakłady Lotnicze (PZL)with its first flight occurring in 1930. The aircraft was designed by Zygmunt Puławski, who created an innovative gull-wing configuration that became a distinctive feature of Polish fighter aircraft of this era. This high-wing design provided excellent pilot visibility and structural advantages.
The P.7a entered service with the Polish Air Force starting in 1932 with deliveries finalised in 1933. It served as Poland’s primary fighter aircraft during the mid-1930s when it was partially replaced by the slightly more advanced P.11. A total of149 production P.7a aircraft were built, along with two prototypes.
By the time World War II erupted in September 1939, the P.7a was already considered obsolescent, having been largely superseded in Polish service by the PZL P.11. However, some P.7 aircraft were still in service when Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. These faced overwhelming odds against the modern German Luftwaffe, which deployed advanced fighters like the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Bf 110. Most were destroyed in 1939, in combat or on the ground, but around a dozen were withdrawn to Romania, but were not used in combat there. Some captured P.7s were used by the Germans for training. Several aircraft were captured by the Soviets and were also assigned to training units.
