Rozbudowa i dyslokacja wytwórni silników lotniczych w Polsce (1935-1939)

Abstract

A three-year plan (1933-1936) for expanding aviation developed at the Headquarters marked a turning point in producing the aeronautical engines. The implementation of the process of building new craft (reconnaissance, fighter and bombing planes) forced a decision to start a research on the prototypes of Polish engines. Due to the Škoda concern’s lack of enthusiasm for further cooperation and political implications in Polish-Czechoslovakian relations, the cooperative activity ended. At that time the engine manufacturers were incorporated in the PZL (State Aviation Works). Despite initial difficulties regarding a decline in production caused mainly by modernization and reorganization proceedings, the standards of the Škoda Polish Works were quickly reached and exceeded considerably. The licensed production of English engines made by the Bristol Aircraft Ltd (Jupiter, Mercury, Pegasus, Hercules, Acquilla, Perseus) was implemented, and at the same time the researches on the prototypes of Polish engines (Mors, Foka, Waran, Legwan) were conducted. Smaller manufacturers such as: the Autoremont Mechanical Workshop (Austro-Daimler, Hispano-Suiza, Renault Lorraine- Dietrich), the Stefan Twarowski Mechanical Works (Le Rhône, Hispano-Suiza, TK 70), the State Engineering Works (Walter “Junior” and “Major”), the Avia Precision Mechanics Manufacturer (La Rhône, WZ 7, Bristol-Jupiter, Wright “Whirlwind”, Gnôme-Rhône “Mars” 14 and “Delfin”, Avia P4) cooperated with the army administration in the range of aero engines of low and medium ratio of strength. Dissatisfaction with the mobilization preparations carried by the army led to initiating building works within the COP (Central Industrial District). The decision concerning expansion of the aviation industry was taken during the meeting of the KSUS on 13 October, 1936. Before the WWII broke out, the production had started in the State Avation Works, Aircraft Factory Nr 2 in Mielec and the Aero Engines Factory Nr 2 in Rzeszów. As regards the production of aero engines, the following factories cooperated: Erazm Mieszczański and Tadeusz Jaroszyński Warsaw Base Metal Foundry, Władysław Leszczyński High Grade Alloy Foundries, and the COP Ancillary Industry. The level of production possibilities in 1938 was 78 units during the first month of military operations, to reach a number of 136 at the end of the second half-year. This discordance actually showed that in order to meet the growing demand, imports of a number of ready-made units would be a must.