Warbird Information Exchange

I had a question posed of me the other day which I can't answer, that being do any production drawings exist for the Curtiss Hawk bi-plane as flown in the 1930s by Ernst Udet?

Looks a lovely aeroplane. I'm aware that the fuselage of his mount survives in Poland, but are there there any other remains extant, or drawings?

Thanks.

There is a Curtiss Hawk biplane in the Royal Thai Air Force Museum, but there were several Curtiss biplane fighters named Hawk, so perhaps this is not the one you are looking for. As for drawings, I have no idea what's available.

Cheers,
Richard

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Richard Mallory Allnutt - Photography - http://www.rmallnutt.com

Hi Richard, yes, it's the earlier version of that but with fixed undercarriage.

Is no one rebuilding/building any? Such a beautiful aeroplane (well, I think so anyway).

You are right.... a real beauty. I've not heard of any being rebuilt sadly, although several other aircraft of the era are being worked on, including some early Boeing biplanes FB4's I think. I seem to remember that a Curtiss P-6 airframe is also out there too, if I remember the news correctly (it turned up in a barn a couple of years ago with a P-400 after the owner died). I do not remember ever seeing any photographs though, so who knows if the story was correct. Here's hoping it is at least.

All the best,
Richard

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Richard Mallory Allnutt - Photography - http://www.rmallnutt.com

It was the remains of a p-6 but nothing of substance like gear or cowling.Look for a book called Hawkman.It was by the guy who has,had donated the p-6 to oshkosh.The hard work on that bird was done by Herb Tischler back in the day.

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Hang The Expense

What a beautiful airplane.Argentina had that as well.sadly none exist down there AFAIK.

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Hang The Expense

Udets Hawk should be based off this the BFC-2.



Mark Fidler

Have you tried the NASM Archives?
http://airandspace.si.edu/research/arch/
http://airandspace.si.edu/research/arch ... stburg.pdf

Udet's
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Curtiss- ... 710a8ff04a

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45-47=-2

I believe Udet's Hawk was based on the export version of the F11C-2 Goshawk. German museum curator was here, making copies, a while ago.
I have a few boxes of original Curtiss blueprints for various Hawks & Falcons, (Will try to get the box out and see if any F11C-2) and file drawers full of amazing original first generation file photos from the company archives. There are pages full of the variations and designations of the many different Curtiss Hawks. (& Falcons)
Plus a nice large 5" wide brass tag for a 1929 Hawk, found in the files..

Here is one great, first generation Curtiss 8 x 10 photo, of the F11C-2 Goshawk that is so sharp & clear, it can be enlarged to read the almost invisible (in the Large photo) Engine tag, that is on the engine just below the prop nut. counting the rivets is easy on these. So much fun to work with these and pull up details of small stenciling, decals, tiny fittings, see different types of screws & snaps & fittings, etc etc.

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hundreds of images of aero art, memorabilia, photos and artifacts at;
www.memaerobilia.com

Hi,

We're still searching for any Curtiss Hawk biplanes and parts, particularly the radial F3 series engine and a propeller. We've tracked down a few drawings, but are keen to add to the pile of information. Anyone have or know of anything?

Many thanks

German? Or Polish?

The reason I ask is that some work is being done on the Krakow example.

German. He was copying assorted original material on Udet, including Udet's Hawk, and his Flamingo, from both Curtiss archives and Cliff Henderson's National Air Race archives. (Both planes had been flown by Udet at the National Air Races, in different years)

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hundreds of images of aero art, memorabilia, photos and artifacts at;
www.memaerobilia.com

A video from last year showing Udet's Hawk being run-up outdoors, along with some footage of it (and Udet) in better days:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peqMxtLLy4M

I do not know if it is of any help. I found a picture in Hans Herlin´s book "Udet". It is quoted as follows: "In America Udet first saw the Curtiss-Hawk. He would have loved to buy her, but banner towing didn´t get him enough cash". This must have been in `31. He did aquire his 2 Hawks 2 years later, in autumn `33. There is no mention of the exact version, only "Curtiss-Hawk, Curtiss, Hawk, or Helldiver. And the mention of a Mr. Doolittle, testpilot of Curtiss. The 2 planes were purchased by Udet, (at least officially), but payed by the German Reich (in fact by Goering, who was Udet´s commander in WW I). If you think Udet were a Nazi, please, if available, try to get a copy of the above book. Or if you can, get a copy of Zuckmayer, Carl, Des Teufels General appeared in Block, Haskell M. and Shedd, Robert G. Masters of Modern Drama (New York, Random House, 1963) translated by Ingrid G. and William F. Gilbert, and is part of The German Library as well.) By accepting the 2 Hawks, he gave himself right into Goerings hands. (The devil`s general, though he despised to fly desks. He preferred planes.)
Found this: Curtiss Hawk II, F11C-2 Goshawk Helldiver
here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Udet

Best film I have seen so far of the Hawk´s dives.

Though it seems very late `30 ies German propaganda film, it does have very good aeronautical sequences as well. Imagine there would have been go pro cameras.... But for the 1930`ìes not bad, huh??

Michael