Aircrafttotal Encyclopedia

The Curtiss P-36 Hawk, also known as the Curtiss Hawk Model 75, is an American-designed and built fighter aircraft of the 1930s and 40s. A contemporary of the Hawker Hurricane and Messerschmitt Bf 109, it was one of the first of a new generation of combat aircraft—a sleek monoplane design with a retractable undercarriage making extensive use of metal in its construction.

Perhaps best known as the predecessor of the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, the P-36 saw little combat with the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. It was the fighter used most extensively and successfully by the French Air Force during the Battle of France. The P-36 was also ordered by the governments of the Netherlands and Norway but did not arrive in time to see action before both were occupied by Nazi Germany. The type was also manufactured under license in China, for the Republic of China Air Force, as well as in British India, for the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF).

Operational history

Argentina

Argentina bought a number of the simplified, fixed landing gear Hawk 75Os, (intended for rough-field operations and ease of maintenance) and purchased a manufacturing license for the type; 30 were built and delivered by Curtiss, and 20 produced locally. These aircraft used the same engine, Wright Cyclone R-1820-G5 as the Martin 139WAA's and Northrop 8A-2s used by the Argentine Army Aviation at the time. Usually armed with one 11.35 mm (0.45 in) Madsen machine gun heavily modified for aircraft use and three 7.65 mm (0.30 in) Madsen light machine guns, there was provision for up to 10 30 lb (14 kg) bombs on underwing pylons. The last Argentinian Hawks remained in service until November 1954.^[.

LCurtiss Wrightt

Curtiss P-36 Hawk,
Curtiss Hawk Model 75

General Info

Crew: One Length: 28 ft 6 in (8.69 m) Wingspan: 37 ft 4 in (11.38 m) Height: 8 ft 5 in (2.57 m) Wing area: 235.94 sq ft (21.920 m²) )

Powerplant

Empty weight: 4,567 lb (2,072 kg) Gross weight: 5,650 lb (2,563 kg) Max takeoff weight: 6,010 lb (2,726 kg) Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1830-17 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 1,050 hp (780 kW) Propellers: 3-bladed constant-speed propeller

Performance

Maximum speed: 313 mph (504 km/h, 272 kn)
Cruise speed: 270 mph (430 km/h, 230 kn)
Range: 625 mi (1,006 km, 543 nmi) at 270 mph (230 kn; 430 km/h)

860 mi (750 nmi; 1,380 km) at 200 mph (170 kn; 320 km/h)

Service ceiling: 32,700 ft (10,000 m)
Rate of climb: 3,400 ft/min (17 m/s)

Armament

Guns: 1 × 0.30 in (7.62 mm) M1919 Browning machine gun
- 1 × 0.50 in (12.70 mm) M2 Browning machine gun
Bombs: some later fitted with a hardpoint under each wing that could carry a bomb of up to 100 lb (45 kg) or a light bomb rack for three 50 lb (23 kg), five 20 lb (9.1 kg) or 30 lb (14 kg) bombs

Special Links Curtiss Wright aircraft

Links to Youtube & Others

The Curtiss Model 75 was a private venture by the company, designed by former Northrop Aircraft Company engineer Don R. Berlin. The first prototype, constructed in 1934, featured all-metal construction with fabric-covered control surfaces.

Curtiss P-36 Hawk, Curtiss Hawk Model 75

The first production P-36As were delivered to the 20th Pursuit Group at Barksdale Field in Louisiana in April 1938.

Youtube Link

The only combat by U.S.-operated P-36s took place during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Five of the 39 P-36A Hawks at Pearl Harbor, delivered previously by the USS Enterprise

Curtiss P-36 Hawk, also known as the Curtiss Hawk Model 75