- Yes
- No
The P-36G has been in War Thunder for many years now, and since Norway has become a sub-nation to Sweden, I think it is time for the P-36G to be added to its original owner. As war came to Europe, Norway purchased more planes to strengthen their armed forces. One of these purchases was a second set of Curtiss Hawks. This second order of Hawks never reached Norway, and would therefore be delivered to the Norwegian goverment-in-exile. They would end up being used as advanced trainers for Norwegian pilots on the training ground “Little Norway” in Canada.
Specifications
- Wingspan: 11,4 m
- Length: 8,7 m
- Wing area: 22 m2
- Empty weight: 2120 kg
- Top speed: 518 km/h at 4572 m
- Cruise speed: 386-422 km/h
- Climb: 4572 meters in 6 minutes
- Service ceiling: 9860 meters
- Range: 1046 km
- Engine: Wright Cyclone GR-1820-G205A
- Power: 1200 hp at take off, 860 hp at 3050 m
- Can also look at the numbers for the P-36G in game for more numbers, since they are the exact same plane as this suggestion is about.
Weapons
4 x 0.30 machine guns in wings
2 x 0.50 machine guns in the nose
A Norwegian Hawk with the bigger wing mounts for 100 lbs bombs
2 x 100 lbs bombs
The 75A-8 was able to be fitted with mounts for 5 smaller bombs each wing, or a single bigger bomb (100 lbs) on each wing. In a video there is possible to see plane number 447 carrying big mounts on its wings, most likely for 100 lbs bombs.
History
When the war was on the horizon in Europe, Norway needed to boost its air power. Gloster Gladiators were ordered from the UK, but more modern monoplanes were needed. Norwegian Army Air Service had rated the Bf 109, Spitfire and Hurricane as the best option for fighter planes, but none of these were obtainable in 1939/40. The choice then fell on buying from America. The Hawk 75 were an adequate fighter, so it ended up being what Norway picked. In 1939 the first sets of Hawks were ordered, these were 75A-6, with Pratt & Whitney R-1830-SC3-G engines. Some of these planes did reach Norway, but not in time to actually get into the fight with the Germans invading.
So back to the story of the 75A-8 I am suggesting. These planes were an additional order of 36 in early 1940. They were suppose to get the same Pratt & Whitney engines as the A-6, but these engines were no longer available to purchase. Instead the new set of planes would have a Wright R-1820-G205A Cyclone instead. The same engine swap also happened with the Douglas 8A-5 and the Northrop N-3PB that was ordered around the same time.
As the Norway got invaded the goverment-in-exile ended up with this order of planes. In late 1940 to early 1941 they were delivered to Toronto were they would be put together. Only 16 of the 36 planes were built though, the rest staying in their crates. Norway wouldn’t need all of the 36 planes as trainers, and the RAF wasn’t interested in Norwegian pilots using them in the UK, so it was decided to sell 18 of them back to the US in 1942. The planes were put together in Canada and then picked up by American pilots. In American service they would get the designation P-36G.
In “Little Norway” the 16 planes continued being used as trainers. 2 planes would sit in their crates unbuilt, making up the remaining 18 planes. 124 pilots in total would get their training on these fighters. Some of the planes were lost during their service for Norway. In 1943 Norway would sell its remaining 12 fighters to the US. Norwegian pilots would now go to train on British planes that were of the same type as they would use in the UK. The planes didn’t stay long in service for the US, and all remaining 75A-8 would go on to Peru soon after.
In-game
As the game already has the exact same plane in the US tech tree, I also think it is appropriate to add it for Sweden if Norway is suppose to be a sub-nation in the tree. Being ordered and used by Norway and one of the symbols of “Little Norway”, historically I think it would be a nice addition. In the tech tree it could also be foldered or placed close to the Finnish Hawks if they were to be added to Sweden.
If it were to be added with the option to mount two 100 lbs bombs, which it currently does not in game for the US, it could be a decent low-tier CAS for ground. The Swedish and Finnish fighers in game seem to be lacking in bombs at rank I and II. The 75A-8 would give the option of a good fighter with some bombs to help the fight in ground battles.
Pictures
Planes being put together in Toronto
The aircraft’s control surfaces were not painted except for the Norwegian flag markings
Model of the airplane made for Princess Astrid
Sources
This books contains history and well researched colouring of the planes:
Flaggets Heder, Vol. 2: Little Norway, 1940-1945 (2023)
(https://www.europeanairlines.no/product/flaggets-heder-little-norway-1940-1945/)
Full history of the Curtiss Hawks
Curtiss Design 75 Hawk - P-36 and International Derivatives (2021)
(**Curtiss Design 75 Hawk – European Airlines)
Video of the planes at “Little Norway”:
https://youtu.be/d_qwYb35J_A?si=Lq65sgDrH_CnaB7k
An article from the magazine NFF-kontakt (1976 Vol. 4 Nr. 4) from Norsk Flyhistorisk Forening:
