Curtiss P-36 Hawk facts for kids

Curtiss P-36 Hawk.

The Curtiss P-36 Hawk was a powerful single-engine fighter plane from the United States. It was an important aircraft used during the early parts of World War II. Many countries flew the P-36, including the Royal Air Force and the French Air Force. Before the war, the US Army Air Corps also used it. This plane first flew in 1935 and later became the starting point for the famous P-40 Warhawk.

What is the P-36 Hawk?

The Curtiss P-36 Hawk was a type of aircraft called a "fighter plane." These planes are designed to fight other aircraft in the sky. The P-36 was known for its strong metal body and its powerful engine. It had a unique look with a rounded nose and wings that curved back slightly.

Design and Features

The P-36 Hawk was built by the Curtiss-Wright company. It was one of the first modern fighter planes made mostly of metal. This made it very strong. It had a single engine at the front and a cockpit for one pilot. The plane could fly quite fast for its time. It was also armed with machine guns to help it in air battles. The design of the P-36 was a big step forward in aircraft technology.

Where was it used?

Even though the P-36 was an American plane, it was used by many different countries.

• France: The French Air Force bought many P-36s before World War II. They used them bravely against German planes in 1940.
• Great Britain: The Royal Air Force (RAF) in Britain also used the P-36. They called it the "Mohawk." It was mainly used for training and protecting areas far from the main battles.
• Finland: Finland used the P-36 (which they called "Hawk") during their wars. It performed very well in the cold Finnish skies.
• United States: The US Army Air Corps used the P-36 for training and defense. It was an important plane for pilots to learn on before flying newer models.

Its Role in World War II

The P-36 Hawk played a role in the early days of World War II. While it was a good plane, newer and faster fighters soon appeared. However, the P-36 still saw combat. French pilots flying the P-36 scored some of the first victories against German aircraft in 1940. In the Pacific, a few P-36s were still in service during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Pilots flying these older planes bravely fought against the attacking forces.

The P-40 Warhawk Connection

One of the most important things about the P-36 Hawk is that it was the basis for the famous Curtiss P-40 Warhawk. The P-40 looked very similar to the P-36, but it had a more powerful engine and other improvements. The P-40 became one of the most well-known American fighter planes of World War II. It was used by many Allied forces, including the famous "Flying Tigers" in China. So, the P-36 was like the older brother that helped create a true war hero plane.

Images for kids

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  FMA Curtiss Hawk 75O

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  RAF Mohawk IVs in India in January 1943

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  Curtiss Hawk 75A-3 in Finnish service

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  Curtiss H75A-1 of the 3rd flight of Groupe de Chasse II/5 French Air Force, June 1940

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  Curtiss H75C-1

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  Curtiss H75-N

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  P-36A at National Museum of the United States Air Force, with a mannequin representing Phil Rasmussen.

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  H75C-1 at Duxford, United Kingdom

See also

In Spanish: Curtiss P-36 Hawk para niños