Simplified Hawk

Sreiko · 24 June 2008, 04:21 AM

As I know Argentina purchased and built Curtiss "Hawk" 75O, which is simple version of basic design. Did any of you have more info?

Kirk R. Lowry · 24 June 2008, 05:58 AM

Bonjour Sreiko!

Correct. A version of the Curtiss Hawk was demonstrated for the Argentine air service. The State Department of the United States of America would not allow the export of state of the art combat aircraft so the airframe was modified by mounting fixed undercarriage and the Wright Cyclone 9 engine.

Designated the Curtiss H-75, an example was built and sent to Argentina in an effort to gain a contract for sale and construction which the company was desperate to obtain as the original design had been rejected following the competition in 1936 to determine the new Air Corps interceptor. The model featured machine guns mounted in the wings and attachment points for ordinance under the wings. The Curtiss H-75 was chosen for purchase and manufacture over the Seversky 2-PAL.

Unfortunately, while being flown back, the aircraft used in the demonstration, which was given a civil registration, was destroyed in a crash on the 5th of March, 1938.

Ulitmately 29 were delivered to Argentina and 20 were manufactured in Argentina under license.

Salut!
Kirk

Sreiko · 24 June 2008, 07:59 AM

Very interesting, sound like the story about the Fokker D.XXI about simplicity with fixed landing gear.

Sreiko · 25 June 2008, 09:32 AM

joegertler · 25 June 2008, 11:33 AM

Hi Srecko;
I am still looking for some of your other requests, but Curtiss stuff is easier and faster..From the nice profile, it looks like you don't need much more. I just scanned a high res scan of the H-75 Hawk from an original 8 x 10 photo fom the Curtiss archives. I will look for more. I see some of the notes from Curitss History files. (they wrote many variations of the company history, that are in these files.)mentions that other versions, like the 75A, and says the design 75 also "emerged" into the YIP-36 and the P-36. It notes that a French Curtiss 75A shot down the first German aircraft over French soil, in Sept. 1939. It mentions another historic action when, two months later, on Nov.7, Nine Hawk 75As flown by French pilots, intercepted 27 German planes, and destroyed nine of them without a single loss. (But that was the "A." )
I have other factory photos of the A and also the YIP-36, including some detailed cockpit close-ups. Am emailing you the high res scan (without the watemark)
Here is original H-75 factory photo.

Sreiko · 25 June 2008, 09:43 PM

Very nice story about the French hawks, I hope that I could be able to find image of this hero and make profile or kit one day. Very nice and cean image- thank you for sharing!!

Cheers

Kirk R. Lowry · 26 June 2008, 05:34 AM

Bonjour mes amis

Yes, that is correct, the first Armée de l'Air claims against the Luftwaffe were made on the 8th of September, 1939. The combat occurred in the vicinity of Landau when Curtiss Hawk 75s of Group de chasse II/4 escorting an observation aircraft were attacked by Messerschmit Me 109s. In the ensuing combat two of the German aircraft were claimed shot down with no losses, one by Sergent-Chef Jean Casenobe and one by Adjudant Villey.

Salut!
Kirk