Finnish Ilmavoimat Curtiss Hawk 81 "Rakastettu" (Tomahawk II)

[nighthunter]

I'll eventually need some serious Information for a back story, but as it stands:

In October 1940 the Finnish Government purchased 44 captured Hawk 75's and 52 Hawk 81A-1's still in their crates. Both of 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, 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 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 the very good flying characteristics of the fighters, but the armament was much more effective against Soviet aircraft. The Finnish Hawks were also equipped with Revi 3D or C/12D gunsight. The Hawk 81's were utilized as fighters and fighter bombers. Similar to the Hawk 75's the Finns nicknamed the Hawk 81's Rakastettu or "Beloved", because they were beloved by the pilots that flew them.

Pictures to follow shortly.

[NARSES2]

Be good to see. I've a Finnish Wif planed at the moment, start on her post Telford

[nighthunter]

Photographic evidence of the work in progress:

[nighthunter]

Work should continue today, will post pictures later, hopefully!

[perttime]

Careful now .... People might mistake it for the captured P-40M (Kittyhawk Mk.III), repaired and coded KH-51.

[Captain Canada]

Cool. Love that kit/ aeroplane. Neat pic of the Finnish one as well....don't think I've ever seen that !

[nighthunter]

Actually, I've got insurance against anyone mistaking it for the M model.

1: The two-tone scheme, and hellblau underside, along with the standard yellow IFF markings. Because the Russians used a single color on their Kittyhawks
2: Using a CU or TH code, probably the CU code as it is a Curtiss kite.

[NARSES2]

....don't think I've ever seen that !

I know I haven't. I've got a Finnish aircraft in the to do pile. Probably get started in the next 10 days or so.

[nighthunter]

The plan is to get it at least completely put together today. Sorry, I was exceptionally busy yesterday.

[nighthunter]

Took pictures today as work started and finished for the day, will post them tomorrow.

[nighthunter]

And, as promised, more WIP Pics!