Curtiss Hawk 81-A2

The Curtiss Hawk 81 was developed directly from the successful Hawk 75 fighter, known in U.S. Army service as the P-36. Retaining much of its predecessor’s structure while introducing the Allison V-1710 inline engine, it became the first member of the famous P-40 family that would serve on every major front of the Second World War.

The earliest production aircraft entered service with both the U.S. Army Air Corps as the P-40 and the Royal Air Force as the Tomahawk. Aircraft built for British contracts were finished at the Curtiss factory in American-made DuPont paints formulated to match RAF camouflage colours. One hundred of these export fighters, designated Hawk 81-A2, were diverted before delivery and transferred to the American Volunteer Group in China.

Flying from late 1941, the Flying Tigers quickly earned worldwide fame by defending China and the Burma Road against Japanese air attacks. Under Claire Chennault’s leadership, the AVG exploited the Hawk’s speed, rugged construction and heavy armament while avoiding turning combat with more manoeuvrable Japanese fighters.

The unit’s famous shark-mouth nose art, inspired by RAF Tomahawks in North Africa, became one of the best-known aircraft markings of the war. Less familiar, but equally distinctive, were the squadron emblems: Adam and Eve, Hell’s Angels, and the Panda Bears, all complemented by the Disney-designed Flying Tiger insignia.

In July 1942 the AVG was disbanded and replaced by the USAAF’s 23rd Fighter Group. Equipped first with the surviving Hawk 81s and later with new P-40E fighters, it continued the mission in China with many former AVG pilots, preserving both the combat experience and the legend of the Flying Tigers.

Plastic model kit

• Paint masks
• Decals with 3 marking options
• Free 3D file for self-printing - QR code and link in the assembly instructions

Scale 1:72

unbuilt / unpainted

Paint and glue not included