1:144 Curtiss H-75A-4/A-8/P-36G 'Late Hawks'

Curtiss H-75A-4, H-75A-8 and P-36G Late Hawks in 1:144 scale from the manufacturer Mark I

A plastic kit in 1:144 scale from the Mark I brand, which has long specialized in small aircraft scales. The box covers the late export versions of the Curtiss Hawk 75 fighter, that is, the H-75A-4 and H-75A-8 variants and the American designation P-36G under which some of these aircraft served. Check the package contents, the number of parts and the schemes offered on the box.

The real subject

The Curtiss Hawk 75, known in American service as the P-36, was an all-metal monoplane with retractable landing gear which at the end of the 1930s belonged among the modern fighters of its day and became one of the most successful American export aircraft before the war. The late export series differ from the older versions above all in the powerplant. Instead of the Pratt and Whitney Twin Wasp radial engine they received the Wright R-1820 Cyclone radial, which showed in a different shape of the engine cowling as well. The designation H-75A-4 belonged to machines for the French order, some of which were eventually taken over by the British under the name Mohawk. The H-75A-8 version was ordered by Norway; after 1940 the US Army Air Corps took it over under the designation P-36G, and some of the aircraft went on to further foreign users. It is precisely this group of machines with the Cyclone engine that is collectively referred to as the late Hawks.

Building and painting tips

Small scales have rules of their own. First clean the parts carefully of mold residue and try everything dry, because a small deviation is visible in 1:144 scale. Glue with thin plastic cement applied by capillary action, as a thick layer would wipe out detail on parts this small. Apply the paint in thin coats, ideally with an airbrush, otherwise the model quickly loses its panel lines. Mask the clear canopy part and rather paint the framing than emphasize it with a decal. Lay down gloss varnish before the decals and, once it has dried, unify the whole model with semi-matte or matte varnish depending on the finish you want. Choose the weathering with restraint, as exaggerated dirt looks unnatural at such a small scale.

Who the model is for

• For collectors of aircraft models in 1:144 scale
• For anyone interested in American pre-war and export fighters
• For modelers who want many machines in a display case in little space
• For more experienced builders who can handle the small parts of a short-run kit

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.