1/72 Curtiss "Mock" Hawk

[Brian da Basher]

In 1932, the U.S. Army had been impressed with the performance offered by the YP-23 and requested the Curtiss Aero Co. produce an improved version of this turbo-supercharged test-bed aircraft. Curtiss wasted no time in conferring with the Allison Engine Co. and its chief engine designer, Charles Mock, to request an improved version of V-1570-23 engine. Mr. Mock created the improved V-1575 engine which ironed out all cooling problems of the previous design and the forerunner of the famous Allison V-1710 of World War II fame was born.

Curtiss married this engine to a new fuselage they were developing for their next generation of monoplane pursuits and on March 24, 1933 the first YP-24 Hawk was rolled out for testing. The new aircraft exceeded all expectations, achieving a top speed of 244 m.p.h. and having a wicked turning ability as well as the sexiest pair of spats ever to grace Wright Field. The new aircraft was ordered into production and deliveries soon started, the first squadron being equipped with YP-24 "Mock" Hawks by the autumn of 1933.

The "Mock" Hawk was the envy of all the world's air arms and export orders soon followed. Boeing was dismayed to find many export customers preferred the Curtiss biplane to their P-26 monoplane because the Hawk's spats were built like a brick public rest facility. The example shown here flew with the 22nd Pursuit Squadron after its conversion from an observation unit in 1934 until it was re-armed with P-36s in 1938. This example is still on display at the U.S. Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio.

1st of 6 pics.

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

Here's what will probably be my last entry in the I Love P-40s! group build. I felt very lucky indeed to see another of these fine Academy P-40B kits on the shelf of my LHS last time I was there. I was tempted to hold it back and offer it up as a prize, but I couldn't fight the urge to turn it into a biplane.

2nd of 6 pics,

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

Major styrene surgery was involved with cutting the kit's wings off the belly piece  and what you see here is a bit of a compromise as trimming the wing root as closely as I wanted would've left a huge hole that I don't think I could've camoflaged. As it is, I was able to fill the gap with sheet plastic, CA and a little bit of putty. I had some biplane wings left over from an old Curtiss Condor kit that seemed a good fit for this project. The cabane struts I found in my spares box, but unfortunately, I didn't have any interplane struts that were the right size, so I was forced to scratch some from toothpicks. Rigging was done with old guitar strings, CA and lots of patience. Here's a head-on shot.

3rd of 6 pics.

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

I pulled out all the stops on this build. I used my last pair of 1/48 Gee Bee racer spats and I raided my decals for the coolest markings I could find. The yellow wings and tail were a real pain. I used artist's gesso as a primer and after two coats of that I applied the Model Masters Yellow. It only took two coats of yellow. The U.S.A.A.C. inter-war roundels are from my dwindling sheet by Eagle Strike and the upper wing chevron is from a sheet that came with a Matchbox P-12. I repainted the chevron so the red was a closer match with the roundels.

Speaking of the upper wing, here's an overhead shot.

4th of 6 pics.

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

The entire model was brush painted by hand with acrylics, including those fun U.S.A.A.C. interwar rudder stripes. It's a real test to try to paint 13 somewhat even and level stripes by hand, and one day I might get them right. These are "close enough for government work". I used Testor's Olive Drab on the fuselage, Polly Scale Red for the red rudder stripes and nose and front of the spats, Model Master Masters Yellow on the wings and tail feathers, and artist's gesso for the white rudder stripes and primer. The guns were painted using Tamiya Gunmetal and the prop blades were painted in Tamiya Aluminum. The invisible cockpit was painted with a wash of Model Masters Steel. I used a custom mix of "Blue Steel" for the exhausts and another custom mix of artist's acrylics for the blue rudder stripe. The wheels were painted with Mars Black artist's acrylics.

Here's a shot that shows off my favorite part...the spats!

5th of 6 pics.

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

The decals are a mix from my collection. The inter-war roundels are from that Eagle Strike sheet I mentioned and the white 7 is from a sheet for a 1/144 C-47. The tail codes are from the F-15 I got for the Secret Santa group build and the upper wing chevron is from that Matchbox P-12. The way cool 22nd Pursuit Squadron emblem is from a sheet for the Eduard SPAD XIII which has a wealth of wonderful decal options.

It's been a real treat to see this idea take shape. I want to thank Eddie for providing inspiration with the many P-40 permutations he's suggested. I'm enjoying participating and moderating this group build. There's still three weeks to get your entries in!

Last of 6 pics.

Brian da Basher

[Chap]

Brian, this one tops the charts! Awesome work.

~Steve

[Eddie M.]

That is outstanding! B)  You were able to do what I could only see in my head. I bow to your workmanship! Bravo Zulu!!
  Eddie  :salute:  

[Mike Wren]

brilliant!    

[ysi_maniac]

Very believeable and very BdaB.
       
I like it

[Glenn Gilbertson]

Mad but brilliant - I nearly believe it!
:salute:  

[Mossie]

Fantastic again Brian, I do belive it!  It really does look the part, especially with those yellow wings.

[McGreig]

Amazing.    And not only does it look completely convincing, but you brush painted it!    

[BlackOps]

 I don't know what else to say...another classic.

[Daryl J.]

How did I miss this one???   That's great Brian.


Daryl J.