Curtiss P-36 (Mohawk) Hawk

The Curtiss P-36 Hawk, also known as Curtiss Hawk Model 75, was a U.S.-built fighter aircraft of the 1930s. A contemporary of the Hawker Hurricane and Messerschmitt Bf 109, it was one of the first fighters of the new generation sleek monoplanes with extensive use of metal in construction and powerful piston engines. Obsolete at the onset of World War II and best known as the predecessor of the Curtiss P-40, the P-36 saw only limited combat with the United States Army Air Forces but was extensively used by the French Air Force and also by British Commonwealth and Chinese air units. Several dozen also fought in the Finnish Air Force against the Soviet Red Air Force. With around 1,000 aircraft built, the P-36 was a major commercial success for Curtiss. This article also covers the YP-37 and the XP-42 prototypes based on the P-36.

Like others, the Royal Air Force also displayed considerable interest in the aircraft. Comparison of a borrowed French Hawk 75A-2 with a Supermarine Spitfire Mk I revealed that the Hawk had several advantages over the early variant of the iconic British fighter. The Hawk was found to have lighter controls than the Spitfire at speeds over 300 mph (480 km/h), especially in diving attacks, and was easier to maneuver in a dogfight thanks to the less-sensitive elevator and better all-around visibility. The Hawk was also easier to control on takeoff and landing. Not surprisingly, the Spitfire's superior acceleration and top speed ultimately gave it the advantage of being able to engage and leave combat at will.

Although Britain decided not to purchase the aircraft, they soon came in possession of 229 Hawks comprised of diverted shipments to occupied France and aircraft flown by escaping French pilots. The aircraft received the designations Mohawk I through IV, mirroring French Hawk 75A-1 through A-4, and were fitted with 0.303-cal. Vickers K machine guns and conventional throttles (forward to increase power). Obsolete by the standards of the European theatre, 72 Mohawks were sent to the South African Air Force, and a number served in India and Burma.

In April 1941, the British government of India ordered 48 Cyclone-powered Hawk 75As to be built by Hindustan Aircraft. The first Indian-built machine was test flown on 31 July 1942. Four additional machines were completed before the project was abandoned. The Indian-built machines were absorbed into the RAF as Mohawk IVs. Similarly, Chinese license production of the Hawk 75A-5 was moved to India, and these machines were also absorbed into RAF as Mohawk IV.

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[CapKorzeniowski]

@Mannock

Thanks! I will try to find this book :)

[Mannock]

@CapKorzeniowski There is a marvelous book called Mohawks Over Burma by Gerry Beauchamp, written in 1985. It covers everything about the air campaign in Burma from 1941 to 1943. The Mohawks escorted Hurricane fighters converted to tactical bombers, called Hurribombers. I have a copy and love it. Air supremacy in Burma was established by these remarkable planes.

[vascoribeiro69]

Portugal received some Mohawk from England in the early 40´s.

[granskare]

nice but the guy doing the  starting bit ought to have gotten a but :)

[yurasseck]

Aí sim eram pilotos de verdade, sem gps, sem eletrônica, no mapa, quando tinha e em alto mar, como era?

[CapKorzeniowski]

This must be from India/Burma 1942. I've read stories about RAF/RAAF Hurricanes and Buffalos fighting the Japs on this front, but nothing about the P-36 Hawk - does anyone know their story?

[talkonfox]

oh, much effort was applied to start the engine ! Nice job and salute to him!! :)

[kolbpilot]

@Treetop64 Man, that can't be the standard win up, can it? If so, Christ all mighty, those crew chiefs were in shape! My take on it is I think this guy wound it up double fast to ensure the pilot could get 2 tries if necessary. But the crew chief is on it, for the engine bursts to life immediately. Nice video of an esoteric aircraft.

[kolbpilot]

@NightmareGbg Your right. Just goes to show sometimes better lucky than good. The P 36 (75) was on him.

[Treetop64]

Dude was cranking the shit out of that inertia wheel!  XD