Some types are familiar to us, almost. One such “almost” could be the export versions of the Hawk 75, a type the US Army Air Force called “P-36”.
After the jump, a look at a more obscure fighter.
In the late 1930s Curtiss was selling their Hawk 75 to a number of foreign customers. The French placed an order, and when war broke out it would be the only modern fighter program that had delivered on time.
This aircraft was flown by Sgt Sangwan Worrasap against the French in 1941
But orders came slow. So Curtiss developed a low cost version, that did away with the retractable landing gear. This was not only cheaper, it was more rugged for unimproved airfields, and simplified maintenance. Several countries placed orders for this version, Argentina, China, Peru and Siam.
Like many smaller countries, Siam has an interesting and confusing history through the war years. In addition to older American and British types, Siam was modernizing with American and Japanese aircraft. Politically, there was long standing tensions between Siam and the French in Indochina (modern Laos, Cambodia, Viet Nam); Siam would try to press territorial claims against the French while trying not to antagonize the British or Japanese. But they still found time to change their name to Thailand in 1939.
In early 1941, Thai forces moved in to Indochina to settle those long standing territorial issues; perhaps they felt the French would be a push over after their performance against the Germans the year before. But the French did fight, in a war that had a few oddities. Like Thai Hawk 75s escorting Ki-30 bombers that had been sourced from Japan. Or Thai Hawk 75s fighting French Hawk 75s. This war did not last long, Japan negotiated a peace treaty.
This provides a view of the armament. I believe its two .30s in the cowling, and a 23 mm cannon under each wing.
When Japan attacked British forces in Asia, they demanded passage through Thailand. The Thais refused, which led to a Japanese invasion and a quick surrender. Thailand fought for both sides in the war. Officially an ally of Japan, there was also a significant and active anti-Japanese resistance movement. When the atomic bombs were dropped, the Thai government was deposed and its treaties with Japan declared “illegal”.
This state of affairs meant that in just a few years, Thai Hawk 75s were used against France, Japan, Britain and the United States.
The only surviving Hawk 75N on display in Thailand. This is a later marking scheme and insignia than my subject aircraft.
French forces in Indochina had the more sophisticated Hawk 75A.
This is the Hobbycraft kit. I think it looks about right in outline and it fit well, but as is typical of this brand, it is very simple in detail. I would very much like to see a more modern tool of this airplane.
Up Next: Sturmgeschutz III
Plane Dave 
Thailand’s war record was very confusing. The mix of aircraft was like the Finnish Air force. A mixture of allies and axis planes.
Yeah absolutely. Although Thailand did a better job of keeping to the periphery. Finland sort of kicked the hornet’s nest when they went in with Germany against the Soviet Union.
Nice work, Dave. I just got my kit out earlier today. I found inside (had forgotten) an old Eduard and a Part PE set for the P-36/Hawk-75 that I might use pieces of to help with details. I like the Thai scheme, but have several doubts about the colors of the national insignia (mine look to have darker red and blue that yours) and the detailing of the unit insignia which doesn’t match the box art very well – will have to see what else is available, but might have to go with the much simpler Chinese scheme. TOI, ha! Anyway, thanks for posting this inspiring build!
Thanks Christopher. Decals and published marking schemes can be wildly off base, no doubt! Look at my recent P-39L for an example of not being able to fully trust anything out there.
I think the photo I posted here of the Hawk 75 at the Thai Air Museum is likely a good guide for colors, but it does have a nice shiny museum finish (glossy colors are definitely longer lasting and easier to care for) so some allowances have to be made for an operational aircraft. And of course, I’ve seen museum finishes too that struck me as inaccurate, like the Me 262 at the US Air Force Museum has very exaggerated contrast between colors. Museums are ultimately just doing 1/1 scale modeling! But I like the odds for a Thai museum doing a Thai aircraft.
Anyway, Chinese markings have a lot of interest too, especially with a Claire Chennault connection. Let me see some pictures when you’re done! Its always fun to see other modelers work.