WesWorld

Yes, I know, im very late however better late than never.

January 20th

Place: A secret undisclosed location outside Warsaw, where the Polish Airforce tests new aircraft.

Air General Zajac: "Well, gentlemen, here they are, the first fruits of our new orders from abroad. Now, I want you all to compare them to the modern fighters currently available. Most specifically, I would like for you to compare the BFW 190 to our P.50 and P.80."

later that evening:

General Sikorski: Well Zajac, how did the testing go today.

Zajac: To be quite honest, General, the rest of the world seems to have jumped a generation on us in regards to monoplane fighters, while we were busy perfecting the biplane. The P.50, which is our most modern fighter, was easily outclassed in all respects by the 109, and that is the older 109, no doubt there is a new model coming out to reequip the Luftwaffe. As well, we compared the reengined P.11s (1) to the 109, and although the P.11 could outmaneuvor the 109, the 109 has the advantage in all other aspects.

Sikorski: So what do you propose we do?

Zajac: I have asked the gentlemen responsible for the P.50 program to start shopping around for a more powerful engine, somewhere in the 1,000 hp range. However, the armament problem will still exist, the engineers at PZL believe that the wings are too flimsy to allow for either an 8 MG armament, or 2 cannons.

Sikorski: Very well, now what is happening with the rest of the fighter program?

Zajac: The PZL P.80, has fulfiled its role as an interim fighter, and production at its factory will now begin producting P.50s. Although we were planning on producing a multi-role fighter, the P.45 the order of BFW 109s should satisfy that requirement. Development has therefore been cancelled, and a new aircraft is currently under development, with the following specifications: speed 550km/h, armament 2 20mm cannon, 4 7.92mm MG, 300kg bombload, fitted with a 1200-1300hp engine (2). As well, we are currently working on a very advanced fighter design, capable of over 650km/h in the wind tunnel. However that fighter shall have to wait until engine development catches up (3).

Sikorski: Very well, see that it is done, now what of the bomber program?

Zajac: The PZL P.23 has been quite sucessful, with 176 currently in service, and it has also attracted export orders. Building on that sucess, PZL is developing an improved variant, the PZL P.46 which is over 100km/h faster, as well as having a heavier MG armament. The sacrifice is a slightly smaller bomb load of 600kg. As well, PZL is also developing an improved version of the PZL P.37 medium bomber, with a top speed of over 500km/h, as well as a 3,000 kg bomb load.

Sikorski: Excellent, now what of the replacement program?

(1) OTL PZL P.24
(2) OTL PZL P.53
(3) OTL PZL P.62

Zajac: The replacement program is more or less on schedule, with the P.50 still having development troubles in getting to full production. The BFW and Australian Aviation aircraft once they begin delivery will begin replacing the P7 and P11s currently in our airforce, with the P7s being sold either to another nation or as scrap, and the P11s being upgraded to the P11d model and placed in reserve. The P.23 and P.37 will continue their replacement of the Potez 25 and the Breguet 19 bomber squadrons respectively.

Sikorski: Excellent, excellent.

June 5th 1937

Place: Biuro Wywiadowcze(Intelligence Bureau)

Agent 6 enters the dark, smoke filled office of the Head of the Polish Intelligence Bureau. "Sir, two interesting reports from our agents in Offensive Department "A"(1), as well as from our agents in Offensive Department "D"(2).

"Go ahead 6," the voice from behind the chair replies.

"Our agent which went over to Japan to find out what they really are building over there has finally regained conscious after being in a coma for the last 11 months. Apparently the Japanese really roughed him up, even more than the Dutch did to Agent 7!. However, during his stay in Japan he apparently found about some new tank that the Japanese are building, apparently its something else. As well, our agent in Department A found out the Germans are planning a new tank as well, with a 75mm gun, ample armour and good speed, its supposedly the match for all current European tanks."

"Thank you 6, I shall ensure this reaches the appropriate ears. Please leave the information on the desk and see yourself out." came the voice behind the chair.

A few minutes later, the Head of the Polish Intelligence Agency, known to the world only as "TC" wrote a short note to his old friend. "Sikorski, I do believe that we may need to begin production of Project 38 a bit sooner than we thought." TC

Excerpt from Polish Armoured Vehicles by Andre Pontwantiski

"While the 10TP tank, introduced to the Polish forces in 1937 was an acceptable vehicle by European standards, the rapid progression in armament from the medium caliber 40mm-57mm to the heavier caliber of 75mm-90mm meant this vehicle would become rapidly obsolete. Therefore, the Polish designers rather than design a whole new tank rushed an improved design into service, known as the Pz. w38. Essentially the 10TP with a tank version of the French 75mm, it was an impressive design all things considered for a medium power like Poland, being a match in firepower for most European designs of the time. The design would become a staple of the Polish armoured forces for 30 years, being progressively improved as time went on."

(1) Department responsible for European affairs.
(2) Department responsible for Naval affairs also known as the Polish Department of Naval Intelligence.

Quoted

Originally posted by TheCanadian
As well, our agent in Department A found out the Germans are planning a new tank as well, with a 75mm gun, ample armour and good speed, its supposedly the match for all current European tanks."

Well, there's three different projects that this could be: the upgunned Panzer IV project, fitting a 75mm/48 onto the Panzer IV chassis (the closest to fruition); the heavy panzer project (though that has an 88mm gun); or the new medium panzer project (though that's the farthest away from completion). The upgunned Panzer IV fits what's said, though, pretty well.

Quoted

Originally posted by Hrolf Hakonson

Quoted

Originally posted by TheCanadian
As well, our agent in Department A found out the Germans are planning a new tank as well, with a 75mm gun, ample armour and good speed, its supposedly the match for all current European tanks."

Well, there's three different projects that this could be: the upgunned Panzer IV project, fitting a 75mm/48 onto the Panzer IV chassis (the closest to fruition); the heavy panzer project (though that has an 88mm gun); or the new medium panzer project (though that's the farthest away from completion). The upgunned Panzer IV fits what's said, though, pretty well.

The upgunned Panzer IV was what I had in mind, the Poles are building a heavy tank as well though the 25TP which although having up to 100mm of armour, wont be a success. Its simply too costly to build. The Pzw38 isnt much of a competitor either at present though, simply because of its lack of armor compared with other designs. Im also unsure of the performance of the 75.

The gun's a limitation, granted, limited by it's muzzle velocity.. As an infantry support weapon, it's fine as is, but as a tank killer, it will suffer from the same problems as the M4's 75mm (only more so, since it has a shorter barrel).