Curtiss Hawk 75A-7 - Dutch Curtiss 75-A7 Hawks

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During February 1942 the remaining Hawks were withdrawn from operational use, because of the unreliable engines.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 probably in Dutch East-Indies.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Close-up of a Curtiss Hawk fighter.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

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]

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]