Polish AF Curtis H-75 A1

[NARSES2]

The Facts

The Curtiss Model 75 was a private venture by the company, and the first prototype was constructed in 1934. The prototype first flew on 6 May 1935, reaching 281 mph (452 km/h) at 10,000 ft (3,000 m) during early test flights. On 27 May 1935, the prototype was flown to Wright Field, Ohio, to compete in the USAAC fly-off for a new single-seat fighter, but the contest was delayed because the Seversky entry crashed on its way there. The fly-off finally took place in April 1936 and unfortunately the aircraft underperformed. Although the competing Seversky P-35 also underperformed and was more expensive, it was still declared the winner and awarded a contract for 77 aircraft. However, on 16 June 1936, Curtiss received an order from the USAAC for three prototypes designated Y1P-36. The USAAC was concerned about political turmoil in Europe, and about Seversky's ability to deliver P-35s in a timely manner, and therefore wanted a backup fighter.

Even before the P-36A entered production, the French Air Force entered negotiations with Curtiss for delivery of 300 aircraft. The negotiating process ended up being very drawn-out because the cost of the Curtiss fighters was double that of the French Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 and Bloch MB.150, and the delivery schedule was deemed too slow. Since the USAAC was unhappy with the rate of domestic deliveries and believed that export aircraft would slow things down even more, it actively opposed the sale. Eventually, it took direct intervention from U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt to give the French test pilot Michel Detroyat a chance to fly the Y1P-36.

Detroyat's enthusiasm, problems with the MB.150, and the pressure of continuing German rearmament finally forced France to purchase 100 aircraft and 173 engines. The first Hawk 75A-1 (or H75A-1 n°1) arrived in France in December 1938 and began entering service in March 1939.

The Fiction

The Polish Air Attaché at their embassy in Washington, Wincenti Krasinski, was a good friend of Detroyat's and the later provided him with a copy of his report on his test flights, which Krasinski duly forwarded to Warsaw. Initially this report was looked upon with a general lack of enthusiasm as it was felt that any Polish purchase of foreign aircraft types would have a hugely detrimental effect on their domestic industry's thriving export business.

However by autumn 1938 it was obvious that their own largely parasol fighter types, whilst probably holding their own against opponents to the east were likely to be outclassed in any future conflict with Nazi Germany. Therefore, negotiations were opened with Curtis in order to obtain an initial 50 aircraft. These negotiations were concluded rapidly, Curtis had the Poles over a barrel, and the first aircraft arrived in Gdansk in June 1939. After assembly they were issued to 131 Squadron in early August 1939.

131 Squadron had not fully worked up on the type by the time the Germans invaded on 1st September, and while the pilots gave an extremely gallant account of themselves on the few aircraft available it really was a case of too little too late.

The Model

This is the Arma kit, and in all honesty it is undoubtedly one of the best kits I have ever built, perhaps even the best in terms of fit. It realy is a superb kit, if perhaps slightly over engineered, but the fit is exemplary. Indeed, if something doesn't fit, it's you, not the kit. Most of the major parts slot into place whilst test fitting and stay there, simply needing some glue running down the join. Only possible issues are that the slightest hint of paint on a matting surface will affect the fit, and there are a profusion of sprue gates. Even the small parts will have 3 or 4 in order to get the standard of detail. No problem though as they are tiny and the plastic cleans up easily. 

When it came to finish the main colours were from Hataka's Polish AF paint set and the markings came from a Techmod sheet intended for the PZL P.11 and the spares box.

So, all in all a very enjoyable project and one I'm happy with the outcome of. Indeed I'll be pulling a couple of the other Arma kits I've got from of the stash shortly to see if they build as well.

Polish Air Force 131 Squadron Curtis H-75 AI August 1939

[Old Wombat]

Good job there, Chris! 

[Nick]

Looks very good. I do like the base too.

[PR19_Kit]

That looks superb Chris, and I agree about Arma's quality as I have their first kit, the Hurricane I, and there are some parts of it that won't come apart now I've fitted them and I didn't use any glue!

Love it that you've used the asymmetric Polish 'squarals' on the upper surface, so typical of the period.   

[chrisonord]

Very nice Chris, and a very unusual color scheme too 

[stevehed]

Very good, looks the part

[Rick Lowe]

Nice. 

[NARSES2]

Thanks gents 

[zenrat]

Mmmmm, chocolate Hawk.  Yum.

Good job Chris.   

[Glenn Gilbertson]

Good one - very plausible!

[kerick]

What they all said! Brilliant what if situation.

[Hotte]

Great idea nice model !

[comrade harps]

Plausible story and nice job.

I'll have to find a suitable reason to buy one of them.

[Old Wombat]

Must admit that it wasn't until kerick's post that it actually clicked that this was a whif build! 

Yes, I know it should blindingly obvious, given the site we're on, but it just looked so right & those bleedin' H-75s got everywhere immediately pre-war. 

[NARSES2]

Yes, I know it should blindingly obvious, given the site we're on, but it just looked so right & those bleedin' H-75s got everywhere immediately pre-war. 

And they were ordered by the Dutch and Norwegian's as well, but didn't arrive in time. If I get another it may well go Dutch.