Le Premier Hawk

H75A-1 N^o1, the first example built for the French, in the air over Western New York
during its first flight in early December of 1938. H. Lloyd Child was behind the stick.


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image - Closeup of Rudder

N^o148

An H75A-2 built for France at the Buffalo Airport, 1939. This particular ship is N^o148, the
first H75A-2 to be built with both an uprated engine and increased armament from that of the H75A-1.


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image

A closer look...


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image

Two Czechs and a Hawk

Sgt. František Chábera and Cpl. Chef Vilém Nosek, Czech pilot and mechanic serving with
3 Esc. GC II/5 were photographed beside H75A-1 N^o58 at Toul-Croix-de-Metz, May 1940.


Pavel Vančata collection via Jet & Prop by Falke Eins - Larger Image

Bent, Broken, and Burned Hawks

Many a German soldier's fotoalbum was filled with snapshots showing destroyed and captured
enemy equipment; trucks and other 'softskin' vehicles, tanks and AFVs, guns, and aircraft.
Among the latter were dozens of French Hawks. Here's a sampling of but a few.

Starting with one that did not come from a German fotoalbum...

This H75A-1 was bellied in by Sous-lieutenant Tremolet in November of 1939.
The location and circumstances are currently unknown to your webmaster.


Original Image: Monraisse Family - Larger Image

H75A-1 N^o57 from GC 1/5, was lost on June 15th, 1940 along with her pilot.


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image

H75A-1 N^o54, 'White 6' of the 3rd Escadrille, GC II/5 was flown by Sgt/C Josef Janeba,
a Czech pilot, on June 6th, 1940 while GC II/5 escorted a flight of LeO 45 bombers between
Berry-au-Bac and Soissons, France. The Hawks were mixing it up with a formation of Bf 110s
when they were surprised by a group of Bf 109s. Three Hawks went down; Lt Houzé of the 4th
Escadrille was killed, and Sgt Heme, also of the 4th, wounded, while Sgt/C Janeba was able
to put N^o54 down in one piece, wheels up, in no man's land. He abandoned the Hawk and
headed south, was able to reach French lines, and returned to his airfield a couple of days
later. Janeba was killed in a midair collision on May 2nd, 1942 while flying Spitfires
with 312 (Czech) Squadron, RAF. More about that incident can be found HERE.


Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

These next couple'a photos show N^o54 displayed by the Germans along with other captured
French equipment in the vicinity of Missy-sur-Aisne during June of 1940.


Project 914 Archives


Project 914 Archives

Defeated Hawks

Your webmaster hasn't made much of a study of French Hawks in general and has
rarely pondered Hawks of the 'Armistice Air Force'. So, for the moment anyway,
I offer little commentary on the following photos, except to say that they document
some of the various ID markings carried by Hawks of Vichy France quite well.

Two Hawks from GC II/4 photographed just after the Armistice in June of 1940.
The pilot of the ship in the foreground is said to be Georges Tesseraud. (11 victories)


From: Air Combat 1939-1945 Volume 3 Number 4 - Larger Image

Three Hawks from GC I/4, Dakar 1942. N^o301 nearest the camera.
N^o311 is next in line, while the third ship goes unidentified for the moment.


J. Bibert collection via FrenchWings.net - Larger Image

And a couple'a more shots showing ships from GC I/4...


Pierre Chalumeau photo via Rémi Vannier on Flickr - Larger Image

A closer look at the ships in the foreground...


Pierre Chalumeau photo via Rémi Vannier on Flickr - Larger Image


Pierre Chalumeau photo via Rémi Vannier on Flickr - Larger Image

Back to 'Curtiss P-36'