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84-536: In 1938, George A. Page, head of the Saint Louis Airplane Division of Curtiss-Wright , decided to develop a fighter aircraft based on Carl W. Scott's two seater Model 19 . Page's concept was a lightweight fighter interceptor with as high a rate of climb as possible in order to allow bomber formations to be attacked with minimal warning. If faced with fighter opposition, it was intended not to dogfight, but to use its superior climb rate to escape. While this

168-721: A Fiat BR.20 bomber shot down on 4 April 1939. In May 1939, a contract was signed, with China receiving the prototype and three complete examples built by Curtiss, as well as kits for 27 more aircraft. Assembly would be undertaken by the Central Aircraft Manufacturing Company (CAMCO) at Loiwing, near the China-Burma border. These were to be armed with two .50 in (12.7 mm) and two .30 in (7.62 mm) machine guns. The three Curtiss-built aircraft were shipped to China in May 1940 and were eventually handed over to

252-745: A Norwegian training base established by the London-based government-in-exile. Still later, they were resold to the U.S. and redesignated the P-36G model. In 1943, the U.S. sent 28 Hawks to Peru under the Lend-Lease agreement. These were ex-Norwegian P-36Gs that had served in Canada. Portugal was officially neutral during World War II, although the Allies were allowed to use or establish ports and airfields on various Portuguese territories. One result of these friendly relations

336-523: A cost of $ 3 million. These simulators were unlike earlier ones produced in the late 1940s for airliners but now included visuals, sound, and movement. They were the first of today's modern flight simulators for commercial aircraft. In 1956, financially strapped automaker Studebaker-Packard Corporation entered into a management agreement with Curtiss-Wright to allow the nation's fifth-largest automobile manufacturer to avoid insolvency. The relationship lasted until 1959 at which time Curtiss-Wright withdrew from

420-578: A few exceptions. Throughout the 1930s, Curtiss-Wright designed and built aircraft for military, commercial, and private markets but it was the Wright engine division and the longstanding relationship with the U.S. military that helped the company through the difficult years of the Great Depression . Guy Vaughan was appointed president in 1935. In 1937, the company developed the P-36 fighter aircraft, resulting in

504-526: A move aimed at expanding its presence in the military aircraft emergency arresting systems sector. SAA, a subsidiary of Safran Aerosystems, specializes in designing and manufacturing aircraft emergency arresting systems and will operate within Curtiss-Wright's Naval & Power segment post-acquisition. The completion of the acquisition, valued at $ 240 million, is contingent on regulatory approval and other closing conditions, with expectations for finalization in

588-688: A number of the simplified, fixed landing gear Hawk 75O s, (intended for rough-field operations and ease of maintenance) and purchased a manufacturing license for the type; 30 were built and delivered by Curtiss, and 20 produced locally. These aircraft used the same engine, Wright Cyclone R-1820-G5 as the Martin 139WAA 's and Northrop 8A-2s used by the Argentine Army Aviation at the time. Usually armed with one 11.35 mm (0.45 in) Madsen machine gun heavily modified for aircraft use and three 7.65 mm (0.30 in) Madsen light machine guns , there

672-579: A rate of climb superior to the Nakajima Ki-43-I ("Oscar") and Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero . The CW-21B had similar firepower to the "Oscar", but worse than the cannon-armed Zero. 2-VLG IV claimed four aerial victories during the Netherlands East Indies campaign , but the ML-KNIL was overwhelmed by the sheer number of Japanese aircraft; almost all of its fighters were soon lost in combat or destroyed on

756-564: A supplier of specialized data communications products for real-time systems, primarily for the aerospace and defense, industrial automation and medical image markets. The acquisition also reintroduced Curtiss-Wright to Dayton, Ohio. In 2010, Curtiss-Wright acquired Hybricon Corporation for $ 19 million in cash. Hybricon is a supplier of electronic packaging for the aerospace, defense, and commercial markets, and provides electronic subsystem integration. In 2011, Curtiss-Wright acquired Ireland-based Acra Control for $ 61 million in cash. Acra Control

840-540: Is a supplier of data acquisition systems and networks, data recorders, and telemetry ground stations for both defense and commercial aerospace markets. At the beginning of 2013, Curtiss-Wright acquired Exlar Corporation for $ 85 million in cash. Exlar, a private company, is a designer and manufacturer of highly engineered electric actuators used in motion control solutions in industrial and military markets. The acquired business will operate within Curtiss-Wright's Motion Control segment. In October 2013, Curtiss-Wright completed

924-585: Is an American-designed and built fighter aircraft of the 1930s and 40s. A contemporary of the Hawker Hurricane and Messerschmitt Bf 109 , it was one of the first of a new generation of combat aircraft—a sleek monoplane design with a retractable undercarriage making extensive use of metal in its construction. Perhaps best known as the predecessor of the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk , the P-36 saw little combat with

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1008-454: Is anticipated to yield a 100% free cash flow conversion rate, underscoring the robust liquidity position. This strengthened financial position can be leveraged for profitable and revenue-generating strategies. As well as manufacturing engines, a range of electrically actuated constant speed three- and four-bladed propellers were manufactured under the name Curtiss Electric . Albert Kahn Associates designed several industrial buildings for

1092-467: The 1st American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers) , who intended to use them to tackle high-flying Japanese reconnaissance aircraft. These crashed and were destroyed, due to poor visibility, on a flight from Rangoon to Kunming on 23 December 1941. Of the 27 to be assembled by CAMCO, none were completed before CAMCO was forced by advancing Japanese forces to evacuate its Loiwing factory to India in 1942. Curtiss had meanwhile developed an improved version of

1176-576: The Franco-Thai War of 1940–41, P-36s were used by both sides. From mid-1940, some P-36s en route for France and the Netherlands were diverted to Allied air forces in other parts of the world. The Hawks ordered by the Netherlands were diverted to the Dutch East Indies and later saw action against Japanese forces. French orders were taken up by British Commonwealth air forces, and saw combat with

1260-610: The Hawk 75H —a simplified version with fixed landing gear, like the 75O—was eventually sold to the Chinese Nationalist government who presented it to Claire L. Chennault for personal use. China also received two similar demonstrators, the Hawk 75Q . They also used a number of simplified Hawk 75M s against the Japanese. On 11 January 1939, five Hawk 75Ms of the veteran CAF 25th Fighter Squadron led by commander Liu Yijun (劉依鈞) were flown to

1344-640: The Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF). Axis and co-belligerent air forces also made significant use of captured P-36s. Following the fall of France and Norway in 1940, several dozen P-36s were seized by Germany and transferred to Finland; these aircraft saw extensive action with the Finnish Air Force against the Soviet Air Forces . The P-36 was also used by Vichy French air forces in several minor conflicts; in one of these,

1428-600: The Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force (ML-KNIL), although some flew with 1-VlG V. These aircraft saw action over Malacca, Sumatra and Java, successfully bombing the railroad and intercepting bombers and participated in the extensive dogfights over Soerabaja, where USAAF, RAF and ML aircraft fought Japanese bombers and fighters together. Norway ordered 24 Twin Wasp-powered Hawk 75A-6s , of which 19 were delivered and seven assembled at

1512-627: The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) dispatched nine Ki-30 Nagoyas, escorted by three Hawk 75s, to bomb Pailin and Sisophon in French Indochina. Thailand was perhaps the only country operating both Japanese and American aircraft just before World War II. The first production P-36As were delivered to the 20th Pursuit Group at Barksdale Field in Louisiana in April 1938. The aircraft's service history

1596-824: The South African Air Force (SAAF) against Italian forces in East Africa, and with the RAF over Burma. Within the Commonwealth, the type was usually referred to as the Curtiss Mohawk . With around 1,000 aircraft built by Curtiss, the P-36 was a commercial success for the company. It also became the basis of the P-40 and two unsuccessful prototypes: the P-37 and the XP-42 . The Curtiss Model 75

1680-791: The United States Army Air Forces during World War II . It was the fighter used most extensively and successfully by the French Air Force during the Battle of France . The P-36 was also ordered by the governments of the Netherlands and Norway but did not arrive in time to see action before both were occupied by Nazi Germany. The type was also manufactured under license in China, for the Republic of China Air Force , as well as in British India , for

1764-627: The Wright J65 . It powered models of the Martin B-57 , and several U.S. fighter aircraft. Subsequent derivative engines were late and did not find substantial markets. Curtiss-Wright briefly licensed rights to the Wankel rotary engine from NSU in 1958 as a possible aircraft power plant. For this project, Curtiss-Wright relied on the design leadership of NSU-Wankel engineer Max Bentele . In 1954, United Airlines bought four Curtiss-Wright flight simulators at

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1848-399: The commercial , industrial , defense , and energy markets. It makes parts for commercial and naval nuclear power systems, industrial vehicles, and oil - and gas -related machinery. Curtiss-Wright formed on July 5, 1929, the result of a merger of 12 companies associated with Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company of Buffalo, New York , and Wright Aeronautical of Dayton, Ohio . It

1932-634: The Allies started re-equipping the formerly Vichy-controlled French H75 units with P-40s and P-39s . The Hawk 75A-9 variant was also ordered by the Imperial State of Iran (previously Persia). In or before mid-1941, 10 of these aircraft arrived in Iran, partly-assembled and in crates. They had not been assembled by the time of the Allied invasion of Iran . Seized by Commonwealth forces, these Hawk 75s were shipped to India, where they were assembled and used by

2016-571: The CW-21, the CW-21B. The main difference was a new undercarriage with inward-retracting mainwheels and a semi-retractable tail wheel which had been developed for the Curtiss-Wright CW-23 armed trainer, with other changes including hydraulically operated flaps . Although heavier, the CW-21B was 18 mph (29 km/h) faster than the original CW-21, albeit with a reduced rate of climb. In April 1940,

2100-723: The Curtiss Wright Corporation, including plants in Beaver, PA; Buffalo, NY; Caldwell, NJ; Columbus, OH; Indianapolis, IN; Kenmore, NY; Louisville, KY and St. Louis, MO. Albert Kahn's personal working library, the Albert Kahn Library Collection , is housed at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield , Michigan. Curtiss P-36 The Curtiss P-36 Hawk , also known as the Curtiss Hawk Model 75 ,

2184-742: The Curtiss-Wright Airplane Division, which manufactured airframes ; the Wright Aeronautical Corporation, which produced aircraft engines ; and the Curtiss-Wright Propeller Division, which manufactured propellers . After 1929, most engines produced by the new company were known as Wrights. Existing aircraft continued using the Curtiss name, while new designs used either the Curtiss or Curtiss-Wright name, depending on which location they were designed by, with

2268-525: The Curtiss-Wrights gave rise to structural problems, and several aircraft were grounded by cracks in the undercarriage, and were still awaiting repair when war with Japan began on 8 December 1941. With its light construction, radial engine, low wing loading , limited pilot protection and lack of self-sealing fuel tanks , the CW-21B was the Allied fighter most similar to the opposing Japanese fighters. It had

2352-598: The Dutch Army Aviation Brigade Luchtvaartbrigade , desperate for modern combat aircraft, placed an order for 24 CW-21Bs from Curtiss-Wright. After the Battle of the Netherlands , which resulted in the Dutch Army surrendering to the invading Germans on 15 May 1940, the order for the CW-21Bs (together with a number of Curtiss Model 75 fighters and Curtiss-Wright CW-22 trainers), was transferred to

2436-558: The French Air Force during 1939–1940) and 81 probable victories in H75s against only 29 aircraft lost in aerial combat. While making up only 12.6 per cent of the French Air Force single-seater fighter force, the H75 accounted for almost a third of the air-to-air kills during the 1940 Battle of France. Of the 11 French aces of the early part of the war, seven flew H75s. The leading ace of the time

2520-669: The French stocks, 13 were initially sold to Norway and captured when the Germans conquered that country. The aircraft were given serial codes CU-501 to CU-507 (A-4 submodel with Cyclone) and CU-551 to CU-587 (all other submodels with Twin Wasp). In Finnish service, the Hawk was well liked, affectionately called Sussu ("Sweetheart"). The Finnish Air Force enjoyed success with the type, credited with 190⅓ kills by 58 pilots, between 16 July 1941 and 27 July 1944, for

2604-672: The German occupation. On 20 September, Sergeant André-Armand Legrand , pilot of the H75A-1 n°1 in the Groupe de Chasse II/5 La Fayette was credited of the first Allied air victory of World War II on the Western front with shooting down a Messerschmitt Bf 109 E of the Luftwaffe 3/JG 53 , over Überherrn . During 1939–1940, French H75 pilots claimed 230 air-to-air kills (of a total of 1,009 air-to-air kills by

Curtiss-Wright CW-21 - Misplaced Pages Continue

2688-495: The Hawk was considered obsolete, a number saw service with the RAF and Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF) in India and Burma. In April 1941, the government of British India ordered 48 Cyclone-powered Mohawk IVz (Hawk 75A) for the RIAF, to be built by Hindustan Aircraft . The first such aircraft completed was test flown on 31 July 1942. Only four additional aircraft were completed before the project

2772-522: The Netherlands when Germany invaded. But as the mainland surrendered, the aircraft continued to the colonies where they were used extensively against the Japanese attack on the Far Eastern part of the kingdom. By that time, the aircraft had flown so many hours that the engines were showing serious wear and tear. Most Dutch Hawks were assigned to the 1ste JachtVliegAfdeling - VliegtuigGroep IV (1ste JaVA - 1-VlG IV; "1st Fighter Squadron - Flying Group IV") of

2856-646: 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

2940-628: The RAF/ RIAF , as the Mohawk Mk. IV . In October 1939, the Netherlands ordered 24 Hawk 75A-7s for their colonies of the Dutch East Indies ( Oost Indië ). These planes were powered by 1,200 hp Cyclones. Factory armament was one .50 inch and one .303 inch machine gun in the cowl with two .303 machine guns in the wings. After delivery, the .50 weapons were replaced to standardize parts and ammo. The plane could carry six 23 kg (51 lb) bombs. The fighters were shipped in 1940 and almost rerouted to

3024-521: The United States. Created in 1929 from the consolidation of Curtiss , Wright , and various supplier companies, the company was immediately the country's largest aviation firm and built more than 142,000 aircraft engines for the U.S. military during World War II . It no longer makes aircraft but does make many related components, particularly actuators , aircraft controls , valves , and it provides surface-treatment services. It supplies equipment to

3108-580: The acquisition of 901D Holdings, LLC (901D) for $ 132 million in cash. Designing and manufacturing electronic systems, subsystems, and shipboard enclosures, 901D is a contributor to major U.S. Navy shipbuilding programs including both nuclear and non-nuclear powered vessels. In February 2020, Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW) completed the acquisition of Dyna-Flo Control Valve Services Ltd. ("Dyna-Flo") for $ 81 million in cash. In January 2022, Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW) announced an agreement to acquire assets from Safran Aerosystems Arresting Company (SAA),

3192-475: The acquisition of Keronite Group Limited, involving a cash transaction of $ 35 million. This strategic move is expected to enhance Curtiss-Wright's capabilities in Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation ("PEO") surface treatment services. Operating within Curtiss-Wright's Aerospace & Industrial segment, the acquisition is projected to have a neutral impact on the company's earnings in the initial year. It

3276-521: The acquisition of the Parvus Corporation, a business unit of Eurotech S.p.A ., for $ 38 million. Parvus is a leading designer and manufacturer of rugged small form factor computers and communications subsystems for the aerospace, defense, homeland security, and industrial markets. Curtiss-Wright acquired military communications equipment supplier Pacific Star Communications for $ 400 million, on November 2, 2020. Curtiss-Wright Corporation finalized

3360-534: The advantage of being able to engage and leave combat at will. Although the British decided not to purchase the aircraft, they soon came into possession of 229 Hawks by way of shipments diverted from occupied France and aircraft flown by escaping French pilots. The aircraft received the designations Mohawk I through IV, mirroring French Hawk 75A-1 through A-4 , and were fitted with 0.303-cal. machine guns and conventional throttles (forward to increase power). Although

3444-463: The agreement. The shift of civilian aircraft to jets left the company with little of its old business, and during the 1960s it shifted to components for aircraft and other types of equipment, such as nuclear submarines , a business that continues today. In 2002, Curtiss-Wright acquired Penny & Giles , a supplier of black boxes and sensing devices (Hybrid linear, hybrid rotary and VRVT sensors). In 2003, Curtiss-Wright acquired Systran Corporation,

Curtiss-Wright CW-21 - Misplaced Pages Continue

3528-627: The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise in California, then in a first for the USAAC, flown off the carrier's deck by the P-36's U.S. Army Air Corps pilots when the Enterprise neared the coast of Hawaii. This saved considerable time over the traditional shipping method of having the fighters first disassembled, crated and then loaded by crane in the hold of a freighter, then unloaded and reassembled in Hawaii. The only combat by U.S.-operated P-36s took place during

3612-436: The aircraft, with one officer commenting that it took a genius to land it. The prototype CW-21 was delivered to China for evaluation by the Chinese Air Force . The Chinese were impressed by the CW-21's performance, and negotiation started on a Chinese purchase. While these negotiations were ongoing, the CW-21 prototype was flown in combat against Japanese bombers attacking Chongqing , with Curtiss test pilot Bob Fausel claiming

3696-483: The backbone of most of China's fighter squadrons from 1938 to 1941. The Hawk 75A-5 was built under license in China, but production was later moved to India, and these aircraft were absorbed into the RAF as the Mohawk IV. After the fall of France , Germany agreed to sell captured Curtiss Hawk fighters to Finland in October 1940. In total, 44 captured aircraft of five subtypes were sold to Finland with three deliveries from 23 June 1941 – 5 January 1944. Not all were from

3780-452: The early variant of the iconic British fighter. The Hawk was found to have lighter controls than the Spitfire at speeds over 300 mph (480 km/h), especially in diving attacks, and was easier to maneuver in a dogfight (thanks to the less sensitive elevator). The Hawk also had better all-around visibility and was easier to control on takeoff and landing. Not surprisingly, the Spitfire's superior acceleration and top speed ultimately gave it

3864-416: The government gave the development of the Whittle jet engine to GE , the company concentrated on reciprocating engines and propeller production for military transport and civilian airliners. With the twilight of the big piston aircraft engine, Curtiss-Wright needed a new design direction, and in 1950, Curtiss-Wright licensed the Sapphire jet engine from Armstrong Siddeley in the U.K and manufactured it as

3948-419: The government of the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), for the Militaire Luchtvaart van het Koninklijk Nederlands-Indisch Leger ("Military Aviation of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army"; ML-KNIL). The 24 CW-21Bs were assembled at Andir airfield , Bandung , Java , in February 1941, equipping Vliegtuiggroep IV, Afdeling 2 ("Air Group IV, No. 2 Squadron"; 2-VLG IV ). The lightweight construction of

4032-412: The ground. Data from Curtiss Aircraft 1907–1947 General characteristics Performance Armament Related development Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Related lists Curtiss-Wright The Curtiss-Wright Corporation is a manufacturer and services provider headquartered in Davidson, North Carolina , with factories and operations in and outside

4116-472: The increasing speeds and armor of Soviet aircraft soon showed this armament was not powerful enough. From 1942, the State Aircraft Factory replaced the fuselage machine guns with either one or two .50 in (12.7 mm) Colt or Browning FN machine guns and installed two or four .303 in (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns in each wing. The 12.7mm Berezin UB or LKk/42 heavy machine guns were also used. The installation of heavier armament did not change

4200-664: The largest peacetime aircraft order ever given by the Army Air Corps. Curtiss-Wright also sold the P-36 abroad, where they were used in the early days of World War II . During World War II , Curtiss-Wright produced 142,840 aircraft engines, 146,468 electric propellers, and 29,269 airplanes. Curtiss-Wright employed 180,000 workers, and ranked second among United States corporations in the value of wartime production contracts, behind only General Motors . Aircraft production included almost 14,000 P-40 fighters, made famous by their use by Claire Chennault 's Flying Tigers in China, over 3,000 C-46 Commando transport aircraft, and later in

4284-412: The loss of 15 of their own. Finnish Hawk pilots included the type's highest-scoring ace, Altto Kalevi "Kale" Tervo , with between 14¼ and 15¾ victories in the type; another ace, Kyösti "Kössi" Karhila , scored 12¼ or 13¼ of his 32¼ victories in the Hawk. The Finnish Hawks were initially armed with either four or six 7.5mm machine guns. While sufficient during the early phase of the Continuation War ,

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4368-434: The main plant at the Buffalo airport. During divestiture of the airframe division, the lab was given to Cornell University along with a cash gift to finish the construction of a transonic wind tunnel. Cornell Aeronautical Labs, or CAL as it was known, was eventually spun off from the university as a private company, Calspan Corporation , which has been responsible for numerous innovations in flight and safety research. After

4452-413: The mainwheels retracted rearwards into fairings under the wing. The fuselage was a semi- monocoque structure that tapered sharply behind the pilot's cockpit. It was powered by a 1,000  hp (750  kW ) Wright R-1820 -G5 nine-cylinder air-cooled radial engine . It was designed to carry various combinations of two .30 in (7.62 mm) or .50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns , mounted in

4536-435: The new wartime capital of Chongqing in preparations for defense duties there ; Liu Yijun and his four specially-trained Hawk 75 pilots all died in the crash of transport aircraft in the return flight. These Hawk 75Ms were intended for the newly established 16th and 18th Fighter Squadrons that were previously light attack-bomber squadrons, but did not supersede the increasingly obsolescent Polikarpov I-15 and I-16 that formed

4620-425: The nose and synchronized to fire through the propeller , while no armor or fuel tank protection was fitted in order to save weight and hence improve performance. The prototype first flew on 22 September 1938, carrying the civil experimental registration NX19431 . Although the CW-21 was not commissioned by the U.S. military, it was test flown at Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio. The Army Air Corps immediately rejected

4704-435: The prop and four in the wings) 7.5 mm FN-Browning machine guns, aimed with a French-supplied Baille-Lemaire gun sight. The aircraft evolved through several modifications, the most significant being the installation of the Wright R-1820 Cyclone engine. The H75-C1 variant saw little operational use due to its late delivery and reliability problems with the Wright radial engine. A total of 316 H75s were delivered to France before

4788-531: The propeller arc. Also typical of the time was the total absence of cockpit armor or self-sealing fuel tanks . The distinctive landing gear, which rotated 90° to fold the main wheels flat into the thin trailing portion of the wing, resting atop the lower ends of the maingear struts when retracted, was a Boeing -patented design for which Curtiss had to pay royalties . 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,

4872-447: 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. Curtiss took advantage of the delay to replace the unreliable engine with a Wright XR-1820-39 Cyclone producing 950 hp (710 kW) and to rework the fuselage, adding the distinctive scalloped rear windows to improve visibility. The new prototype

4956-493: The rapid development of jet engine technology and near-supersonic flight, this technological lag resulted in Curtiss losing a number of critical postwar military aircraft orders. The final nail in the coffin was the choice of the Northrop F-89 Scorpion over the XF-87 Blackhawk . After the F-87 was cancelled in October 1948, Curtiss-Wright shut down its entire Aeroplane Division and sold the assets to North American Aviation . Curtiss-Wright continued to occasionally venture back into

5040-467: The realization that sufficient quantities of aluminum aircraft alloys would be available for war production, plans for large-scale C-76 production were rejected. The Louisville plant was converted to C-46 Commando production, delivering 438 Commandos to supplement the roughly 2,500 C-46s produced at Buffalo. The C-46 cargo aircraft was fitted with two powerful radial engines and could fly at higher altitudes than most other Allied aircraft. Consequently, it

5124-406: The realm of designing aircraft, such as the TDU-12/B Skydart target drone and the X-19 tilt-rotor, but none of these amounted to anything and by the early 1960s Curtiss-Wright was no longer an aircraft manufacturer. While this marked Curtiss-Wright's departure from preeminence in the aviation industry, one notable spin-off involved Curtiss-Wright's flight research laboratory, founded in 1943 near

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5208-482: 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. A few months later, this aircraft

5292-439: The third quarter of 2022. The strategic acquisition of SAA is part of Curtiss-Wright's efforts to enhance growth prospects and diversify its product portfolio. With an anticipated positive impact on CW's earnings, the $ 240 million transaction is projected to contribute to a robust free cash flow conversion rate exceeding 100%, signaling a favorable liquidity position for the company in the future. In November 2022, CW has finalized

5376-493: The time of the German invasion. None of the aircraft were combat-ready. The disassembled aircraft were disabled by a single customs employee who smashed the instruments and cut all the wires he could reach. Thirteen Norwegian Hawks captured by the Germans were part of the first batch of 29 P-36s sent to Finland. Norway also ordered 36 Cyclone-powered Hawk 75A-8s . Most of this batch (a total of 30) were delivered as advanced trainers to " Little Norway " near Toronto, Ontario, Canada,

5460-428: The time. The single speed supercharger was a serious handicap at high altitudes. Compared to the later Allison-engined P-40, the P-36 shared the P-40's traits of excellent high-speed handling, roll rate that improved at high speed, and relatively light controls at high speed. However, it was underpowered, affecting its acceleration and top speed, and it did not accelerate in a dive as well as the P-40. Argentina bought

5544-599: The type mainly for bomber escort and ground attack. The type was retired by the RAF/RIAF in 1944. The South African Air Force received 72 Mohawks. Its first Mohawks were delivered to East Africa in mid-1941, where they were used by 3 Squadron SAAF to support operations in the East African Campaign , taking part in the Battle of Gondar which ended the campaign, and helping to patrol the border with Vichy French held Djibouti . These Mohawks were then sent to South Africa, where, supplemented by fresh deliveries, they were used for training and for home defense. The prototype of

5628-443: The very good flying characteristics of the fighter, and the armament was much more effective against Soviet aircraft. The Finnish Hawks were also equipped with Revi 3D or C/12D gunsight. Surviving Finnish aircraft remained in service with the FAF aviation units HLeLv 13 , HLeLv 11 and LeSK until 30 August 1948, when the last operational Finnish Hawks were put into storage. In 1953, the stored aircraft were scrapped. Even before

5712-423: The war, over 7,000 SB2C Helldivers . Its most visible success came with the P-40, variously known as the Tomahawk, Kittyhawk, and Warhawk, which were built between 1940 and 1944 at the main production facilities in Buffalo, New York . During the war, a second large plant was added at Buffalo, followed by new plants at Columbus, Ohio ; St. Louis, Missouri ; and Louisville, Kentucky . Engine and propeller production

5796-534: Was Lieutenant Edmond Marin la Meslée with 15 confirmed and five probable victories in the type. H75-equipped squadrons were evacuated to French North Africa before the Armistice to avoid capture by the Germans. While under the Vichy government , these units clashed with British aircraft during the Battle of Mers El-Kebir and the Battle of Dakar . During Operation Torch in North Africa, French H75s fought against U.S. Navy F4F Wildcats , losing 15 aircraft while shooting down seven American aircraft. From late 1942,

5880-444: Was a direct contradiction to the United States Army Air Corps ′ requirements for fighters (which stressed low-level performance), this did not concern Page, since the new fighter was intended for export. Detailed design of the new fighter, the Model 21, or CW-21, was carried out by a team led by chief engineer Willis Wells. It was a single-seat, all-metal cantilever low-wing monoplane with retractable tailwheel landing gear , where

5964-451: Was a private venture by the company, designed by former Northrop Aircraft Company engineer Don R. Berlin . The first prototype, constructed in 1934, featured all-metal construction with fabric-covered control surfaces, a Wright XR-1670-5 radial engine developing 900  hp (670 kW), and typical United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) armament of one .30 in (7.62 mm) and one .50 in (12.7 mm) machine gun firing through

6048-721: Was abandoned. However, Chinese license production of the Hawk 75A-5 was moved to India, and these aircraft were also absorbed into the RAF/RIAF as Mohawk IVs. They were supplemented by 10 Hawk 75A-9s that were captured in Iran, during the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran of August 1941. A further 74 Mohawk IVs that had originally been ordered by France were shipped to India from the United Kingdom. The only RAF units to see combat in Mohawks were No. 5 Squadron RAF and No. 155 Squadron RAF , using

6132-508: Was at plants in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. In May 1942, the U.S. government assigned Curtiss-Wright a defense production factory for wartime aircraft construction at Louisville, Kentucky , to produce C-76 Caravan cargo aircraft, which was constructed mostly of wood, a non-priority war material. After difficulties with the C-76, including a crash of a production model in mid-1943, as well as

6216-724: 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. The Y1P-36 ( Model 75E ) was powered by a 900 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1830 -13 Twin Wasp engine, and the scalloped rear canopy was further enlarged. The new aircraft performed so well that it won the 1937 USAAC competition with an order for 210 P-36A fighters. The aircraft's extremely low wing loading of just 23.9 lb/ft gave it outstanding turning performance, and its high power-to-weight ratio of 0.186 hp/lb gave superb climbing performance for

6300-580: Was designated Model 75B with the R-1670 version retroactively designated Model 75D . The fly-off finally took place in April 1936. Unfortunately, the new engine failed to deliver its rated power and the aircraft only reached 285 mph (459 km/h). 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 USAAC for three prototypes designated Y1P-36 . The USAAC

6384-545: Was especially true in the first two years of the war. Curtiss' failure to research and develop more advanced wing and airframe designs provided an opening for North American , Bell , Lockheed, Northrop, and other U.S. aircraft manufacturers to win contracts from the Army and Navy for more advanced aircraft designs. The P-60 , the firm's last prop-driven fighter design, was merely an extrapolation of its 1930s P-36 Hawk , offering no advantage over other designs already in service. With

6468-590: Was headquartered in Buffalo, New York . With $ 75 million in capital (equivalent to $ 1.33 billion in 2023), it became the largest aviation company in the United States. By September 1929, Curtiss-Wright had acquired the Moth Aircraft Corporation (which primarily built de Havilland Moth aircraft under licence) and the Travel Air Manufacturing Company . There were three main divisions:

6552-532: Was later revealed that Wright company officials at Lockland had conspired with civilian technical advisers and Army inspection officers to approve substandard or defective aircraft engines for military use. Curtiss-Wright failed to make the transition to design and production of jet aircraft , despite several attempts. During the war, the company expended only small amounts on aircraft research and development, instead concentrating on incremental improvements in conventional aircraft already in wartime production. This

6636-706: Was marred by numerous teething problems with the engine exhaust, skin buckling over landing gear, and weak points in the airframe, severely restricting the performance envelope. By the time these issues were resolved, the P-36 was considered obsolete and was relegated to training units and overseas detachments at Albrook Field in the Panama Canal Zone , Elmendorf Field in Alaska , and Wheeler Field in Hawaii . The P-36s had been delivered to Hawaii in February 1941 by being loaded on

6720-453: Was not used in France), the aircraft were powered by Pratt & Whitney R-1830-SC-G engines of 900 hp and had instruments calibrated for the metric system, a seat for French dorsal parachutes, a French-style throttle which operated in reverse from U.S. and British aircraft (full throttle was to the rear rather than to the front) and armament of four (later models had six with two firing through

6804-626: Was part of "Groupe de Chasse II/5 La Fayette" (heir of the Escadrille Lafayette that fought in France during World War I), wearing the famous Sioux Head on its fuselage side. After the first few examples, aircraft were delivered in pieces and assembled in France by the Société Nationale de Constructions Aéronautiques du Centre . Officially designated as the Curtiss H75-C1 (the "Hawk" name

6888-410: Was provision for up to 10 30 lb (14 kg) bombs on underwing pylons. The last Argentinian Hawks remained in service until November 1954. In March 1942, 10 USAAC P-36As were transferred to Brazil. The Royal Air Force (RAF) also displayed interest in the aircraft. Comparison of a borrowed French Hawk 75A-2 with a Supermarine Spitfire Mk I revealed that the Hawk had several advantages over

6972-630: Was the transfer by the British government of 12 Hawk 75A variants to the Portuguese Air Force , or Força Aérea Portuguesa (FAP), which assigned them to air defense duties in the Azores . A few Hawk 75Ns were used by Thailand during the French-Thai War . They also fought at the Battle of Prachuab Khirikhan against Japanese forces during the Japanese Invasion of Thailand . On 28 January 1941,

7056-755: Was used extensively in the China-Burma-India Theater . From 1941 to 1943, the Curtiss Aeronautical plant in Lockland, Ohio , produced aircraft engines under wartime contract, destined for installation in U.S. Army Air Forces aircraft. Wright officials at Lockland insisted on high engine production levels, resulting in a significant percentage of engines that did not meet Army Air Forces (AAF) inspection standards. These defective engines were nevertheless approved by inspectors for shipment and installation in U.S. military aircraft. After investigation, it

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