Curtiss P-36 Hawk
The P-36, developed from the Curtiss Hawk Model 75 originally designed for France, was first produced for the Air Corps in 1938. The Army Air Corps obtained 243 P-46s, including 30 P-36G export models seized by the U.S. government in 1942 because of the German occupation of Norway.
Both France and England used the Hawk 75A in combat over Europe in 1939 and 1940, even though the airplane was obsolescent when compared to its major adversary, the German Messerschmitt Bf 109. During 1941, the Air Corps transferred 39 of its P-36s to Hawaii and 20 to Alaska. After World War II began, the outmoded P-36 soon was relegated to training and courier duties within the United States.
| TECHNICAL NOTES | |
| Span | 37 ft. 4 in. |
| Length | 28 ft. 6 in. |
| Height | 8 ft. 5 in. |
| Weight | 5,650 lbs. loaded |
| Engine | Pratt & Whitney R-1830 of 1,050 hp |
| Maximum speed | 313 mph |
| Cruising speed | 250 mph |
| Range | 830 miles |
| Ceiling | 32,700 ft. |
| Armament | Two .30-cal. or two .50-cal. machine guns |
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