Curtiss P-36 Hawk – Photos & Videos

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 both the Hawker Hurricane and Messerschmitt Bf 109, it was one of the first of a new generation of combat aircraft—a sleek monoplane design making extensive use of metal in its construction and powered by a powerful radial engine. 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 nevertheless the fighter used most extensively and successfully by the French Armee de l’air 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).

Source: Curtiss P-36 Hawk on Wikipedia

The Curtiss P-36 Hawk was a fighter aircraft developed by Curtiss-Wright Corporation in the mid-1930s. It was one of the first monoplane fighters with a retractable landing gear and an all-metal construction. The P-36 Hawk was powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1830 radial engine that produced 1,050 horsepower. The P-36 Hawk had a top speed of 480 km/h and a range of 1,300 km. It was armed with two 12.7 mm and four 7.62 mm machine guns.
The P-36 Hawk was exported to several countries, including France, Britain, China, Finland and Norway. It saw combat in various theaters of World War II, such as the Battle of France, the Franco-Thai War, the Winter War and the Pacific War. The P-36 Hawk was also the basis for the more famous Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, which used a more powerful engine and had improved performance. The P-36 Hawk was a successful design that proved to be a versatile and reliable fighter.