Dutch Modelling and Aviation

In Memoriam

Klaas Willem Jonker
(Wilko)
† April 30, 2018

On Monday, April 30, 2018, Wilko Jonker passed away after a long illness at the age of 58. He leaves behind a wife and two children. The Dutch military aviation and plastic model building were his hobby and on this website he has shared all the knowledge he has gathered about it over the many years. His hobby was able to distract him from the raging disease in his body until the last week of his life. The contacts with other hobbyists were a major support for him.

Curtiss Hawk 75A-7

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History

The Curtiss Hawk 75 was developed in 1933/1934 as a private initiative of the Curtiss factory. The all-metal aircraft had a Wright XR 1670-5 radial engine of 900 horsepower.

The prototype was equipped with a .30 inch and .50 inch machine gun, at that time the standard armament of the USAAC.

The prototype made ​​its first flight on May 6, 1935.

Later that month there was a USAAC competition for the delivery of a new fighter.

However, the P-35 Seversky competitor crashed on the flight to Wright Air Force Base, Ohio, and had to be rebuilt.

Curtiss had therefore time to improve the aircraft and exchanged the engine for a Wright XR 1820-30 of 910 horsepower and gave the renewed machine the designation Curtiss 75D, while the first prototype was designated as Curtiss 75B.

Unfortunately Seversky won the competition. However, because of the increasing tensions, especially in Europe, Curtiss received in June 1936 a contract to supply three test aircraft, designated Y1P-36 fitted with a Pratt & Whitney R1830-13 Twin Wasp rated 900 hp .

These performed very well, so in 1937 an order for 210 examples, designated as P-36A followed. Because of a variety of childhood diseases such as blistering of the aircraft skin at the wheel well, problems with the exhaust and weaknesses in the airframe, the aircraft was not used much operational, so it was considered  to be outdated when the problems were solved and became the type was transferred to training units.

France was already interested in the type before the P-36A entered in production. But because the Curtiss 75 costs almost twice as much as the French Bloch MB150 and Morane MS406, after a period and mainly because of the political tensions a first order for 100 Curtiss 75 A-1 or H75-SC1 with Pratt & Whitney R-SC -1830-G and French equipment. France received over 300 aircraft.

Versions.

Curtiss 75A:
demonstration aircraft, which was equipped with different engines.
  • Curtiss-75A-1: 100 examples for France with R-1830 SC-G 900 hp and four 7.5 mm machine guns.
  • Curtiss 75A-2: 100 examples for France with R-1830 SC-G or R-1830 SC3-G 1050 hp and six 7.5 mm machine guns.
  • Curtiss 75A-3: Third series for France; Built 135 aircraft; 133 delivered.
  • Curtiss 75A-4: Last series for France and 75A-2 with Wright R-1820-G205A Cyclone 1,200 hp; Built 200 examples; 81 aircraft were delivered; rest taken over by the RAF as Mohawk IV.
  • Curtiss 75A-5: License Building in China, later to India. Later entered service as Mohawk IV with the RAF.
  • Curtiss 75A-6: version for Norway. After invasion sold to Finland.
  • Curtiss 75A-7: Version for the Dutch East Indies with Wright R-1820 Cyclone 1200 hp; one .50 inch and one .303 inch machine gun in the nose and two .303 inch machine guns in the wings; later changed to two .303 inch machine guns in the nose; bomb load of 2 x 50 lbs (23 kg)
  • Curtiss 75A-8: version for Norway used for training in Canada; Later to Peru.
  • Curtiss 75A-9: 10 examples for Persia. Taken over by the RAF as Mohawk IV.
Curtiss 75B:
first prototype with Wright R-1820 engine.
Curtiss 75D:
Prototype with Wright R-1670 engine.
Curtiss 75E:
Three aircraft for testing by the USAAC with USAAC designation Y1P-36
Curtiss 75H:
simplified version with fixed landing gear, supplied to China and Argentina.
Curtiss 75i:
factory designation of Curtiss YP-37, equipped with an Allison V-1710 of 1150 horsepower.
Curtiss 75J:
Curtiss 75A equipped with turbo-supercharger.
Curtiss 75K:
a non-built version with a Pratt & Whitney R-2180 Twin Hornet.
Curtiss 75L:
Factory Name of the P-36A
  • Curtiss P-36A: Production version for USAAC
  • Curtiss P-36B: P-36A temporarily fitted with an R 1830-20 of 1,100 horsepower.
  • Curtiss P-36C: last 30 examples of USAAC series P-36As with R 1830-17 of 1,200 horsepower and a .303 machine gun in each wing.
  • Curtiss XP-36D: A P-36A with two .50 inch machine gun in the nose and four .303 inch machine guns in the wings.
  • Curtiss XP-36E: Standard P-36A with four .303 inch machine guns in the wings.
  • Curtiss XP-36F: P-36A experimental equipped with two 23 mm Madsen cannons.
  • Curtiss P-36G: designation of Curtiss 75A-8
Curtiss 75M:
simplified version with fixed landing gear and Wright R-1820 for China, built by Curtiss and in China.
Curtiss 75O:
Simplified version with fixed undercarriage; 30 examples built for Argentina and another 20 aircraft built under license by Fabrica Militar de Aviones.
Curtiss 75P:
Production 36A (38-010) with Allison V-1710 inline engine; prototype for the Curtiss P-40.
Curtiss 75Q:
Two demonstration aircraft for China.
Curtiss 75R:
75A Curtiss R-1830 SG2-R turbo supercharger.
Curtiss 75S:
Factory Display for XP-42 test device for research of cooling of liquid-cooled inline engines.

 

Technical information
Dimensions:
Length: 8,7 m Wingspan: 11,28 m
Height: 2,82 m Wing area: 21,9 m2
Weights:
Empty weight: 2121 kg Max. start weight: 2661 kg
Performances:
Max. speed: 518 km/hr Rate of climb: 762 m/min
Range: 1046 km Service ceiling: 9860 m;
Miscellaneous:
Engine type: One Wright Cyclone GR-1820-G205A rated 1200 Hp.
Crew:  
Armament: Four 7.7 mm machine guns: two wing mounted, two nose mounted.
Two bombs of 50 kg each

 


In service with NEIAF.

The Curtiss Hawks were ordered in September 1939 because of the threat of war. From May 1940, the aircraft were rapidly delivered to the Dutch East Indies.
A follow-up order of 24 examples was not honoured by the U.S. government for a lack of large motors due to the increased threat and act of war.

At Andir was the "1e jacht afdeling", the first figther group, was formed.
At the end of November 1941 there were probably 12 Hawks stationed at Maospati, Java. At the time of the attack there were probably about fifteen Hawks operational.

During February 1942 the remaining Hawks were withdrawn from operational use, because of the unreliable engines.

When the Netherlands East Indies capitulated no Hawk was left.

Curtiss Hawk jachtvliegtuig, waarschijnlijk in Nederlands-Indië.
Curtiss Hawk probably in Dutch East-Indies.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Close-up van Curtiss Hawk jachtvliegtuig met vlieger in de cockpit.
Close-up of a Curtiss Hawk fighter.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Curtiss Hawk jachtvliegtuig met oranje driehoek, gefotografeerd in NOI, Semplak, vermoedelijk op 31 augustus 1941.
Curtiss Hawk with orange triangle as national marking, at Semplak, possibly August 31, 1941.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Vliegveld Andir bij Bandoeng (West-Java) met Curtiss Hawk jachtvliegtuigen in de jaren 30.
Air base Andir near Bandoeng (West-Java) with  line up of Curtiss Hawks during the 30s.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

 


Serial
Seria
Construction nr.
Construction nr.
Date in service
Date in service
Date out of service
Date out of service
Notes
Notes
C-310   05-1940    
C-311   05-1940    
C-312   05-1940    
C-313   05-1940    
C-314   05-1940    
C-315   05-1940    
C-316   05-1940    
C-317   05-1940    
C-318   05-1940    
C-319   05-1940    
C-320   05-1940    
C-321   05-1940    
C-322   05-1940    
C-323   05-1940 05-02-1942 V.d. Poel; Shot down near Madioen
C-324   05-1940    
C-325   05-1940 05-02-1942 V.d.Does de la Bije; Shot down near Soerabaja;
C-326   05-1940    
C-327   05-1940    
C-328   05-1940    
C-329   05-1940 21-12-1941 Van Breen; Collision in the air after take-off from Medan
C-330   05-1940    
C-331   05-1940 21-12-1941 Mulder; Shot by RAF during landing on te Ipoh (?) and destroyed in emergency landing
C-332   05-1940 05-02-1942 Hermans; Emergency landing near Maospatina after dog fight
C-333   05-1940 21-12-1941 Sanders; Collision in the air after take-off from Medan
C-334   05-1940    
C-335   05-1940 05-02-1942 Dröger; Shot down near Soerabaja
C-336   05-1940    
C-337   05-1940 05-02-1942 Dijkman; Shot down near Soerabaja
C-338   05-1940    
C-339   05-1940    
C-340   05-1940    
C-341   05-1940    
C-342   05-1940    
C-343   05-1940    
C-344   05-1940    
C-345   05-1940    

 


1/72nd Scale

Kits

  • AML Models
    • Kit 7209: Curtiss Hawk 75A-4 "Mohawk IV"
  • Azur
    • Kit 013: Curtiss P36/H75A-4 Mohawk IV
  • Intech
    • Kit 72022: Curtiss H-75A3
  • Smer
    • Kit 0841: Curtiss P36/H75 Hawk
  • Special Hobby
    • Kit SH72053: Hawk H75A-3 "European war"
    • Kit SH72052: P-36A "Pearl Harbour"

Modelling add-on

  • AML Models
    • Set 7213: Curtiss H75A-1/2/3/6 Hawk Detail set
  • Squadron Signal
    • Set 9115: Canopies P36/P40B (Toma)Hawk
  • Airwaves
    • Set SC7238: Curtiss P36 Mohawk MK4 Wright Engine (also for Dutch Hawk!)
  • Kora Models
    • Set 7274: Curtiss Hawk H75 wheels
  • Reheat
    • Set TH088: Detailset P36/H75 Mohawk

Decals

  • Dutch Decal
    • Set 72023: Set voor verschillende toestellen zoals Curtiss Hawk C-329 met oranje driehoeken
    • Set 72052: Set voor verschillende toestellen waaronder twee Curtiss Hawk 75A-7
  • FlevoDecal
    • Set FD72-012: Set met opties voor vijf Brewsters, Curtiss Hawk 75, Curtiss CW-21 en CW-22; Messerschitt Bf 108, Ryan STM, Lockheed 12 en Lodestar, Bücker Bu-131 en Martin WH-1 en WH-2
  • Kora Models
    • Set DEC 72.318: Curtiss Hawk H75A-7 (KNIL-ML)

1/48th Scale

Bouwpakketten

Modelling add-on

  • AML Models
    • Kit A4803: Curtiss P36A/C, Hawk 75A1-6 Control surfaces and flaps (Hobbycraft/Academy)
    • Kit A4804: Curtiss P36A/C, Hawk 75A1-6 Cockpit set, Undercarriage (Hobbycraft/Academy)
  • Eduard
    • Set E48-070: Detailset Curtiss H75/P36 Hawk (Flaps)
  • Marti Kuivalainen
    • Set E48008: Detailset Finnish Curtiss Hawk 75A interior (Academy)
  • Squadron Signal
    • Set 9568: Canopies Curtiss P36/A75 Hawk

Decals

  • FlevoDecal
    • Set FD48-012: Set for aircraft such as vijf Brewsters, Curtiss Hawk 75, Curtiss CW-21 en CW-22; Messerschitt Bf 108, Ryan STM, Lockheed 12 and Lodestar, Bücker Bu-131 and Martin WH-1 ND WH-2

 


SchemeColour nameFS numberBS numberHumbrolXtraColorVallejo Model ColorVallejo Model Air
Standard #1Overall Bare metal            
From mid 1940 and on
Standard #2Upper surfaces Jongblad (medium Green) ~4092   149 X114 70.885 ? 71.014
Oudblad (Olive Drab)     66 X111 70.889 71.034
Undersides Aluminium dope ~7178   191 X216 70.864 71.062

Check www.paint4models.com for an extensive conversion table with lots of colour and paint systems.

Delivery scheme of the Curtiss Hawk 75-A7 RNEIAF.
Delivery scheme of the Curtiss Hawk 75-A7 RNEIAF.
Camouflage scheme of the Curtiss Hawk 75-A7 RNEIAF
Camouflage scheme of the Curtiss Hawk 75-A7 RNEIAF.

 


Literature.

Aircraft Number 26: Curtiss P-40 in action Ernest R. McDowell pag. 4 - 6 1976 Uitgever Squadron/Signal Publications Inc., Carrolton, Texas
Militaire Luchtvaart in Nederlandsch-Indië in beeld, Deel 2 Hugo Hooftman Pag. 17 - 23 1981 Uitgever Europese Bibliotheek, Zaltbommel
40 Jaar luchtvaart in Indië Gerard Casius & Thijs Postma Pag. 52 1986 Uitgeverij De Alk, Alkmaar
Squadrons van de Koninklijke Luchtmacht (derde herzien druk) Willem Helfferich pag. 18 1994 Uitgevers Wyt Plaats: Rotterdam
Camouflage en Kentekens J.Greuter e.a.   1997 Bonneville – Bergen (NH)

 

Websites.

 

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