Curtiss Hawk 75A
in Finnish Service

SBS Model, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

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After the fall of France, Germany agreed to sell captured Curtiss Hawk fighters to Finland in October 1940. In total, 44 captured aircraft of five subtypes were sold to Finland with three deliveries from 23 June 1941 – 5 January 1944. Not all were from the French stocks, 13 were initially sold to Norway and captured when the Germans conquered that country.  The aircraft were given serial codes CU-501 to CU-507 (A-4 submodel with Cyclone) and CU-551 to CU-587 (all other submodels with Twin Wasp).

In Finnish service, the Hawk was well liked, affectionately called Sussu ("Sweetheart"). The Finnish Air Force enjoyed success with the type, credited with 190⅓ kills by 58 pilots, between 16 July 1941 and 27 July 1944, for the loss of 15 of their own. Finnish ace Kyösti Karhila scored 12¼ of his 32¼ victories in the Hawk, while the top Hawk ace K. Tervo scored 14¼ victories.

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 fighter, but the armament was much more effective against Soviet aircraft. The Finnish Hawks were also equipped with Revi 3D or C/12D gunsight.

Surviving Finnish aircraft remained in service with the FAF aviation units HLeLv 13, HLeLv 11 and LeSK until 30 August 1948, when the last operational Finnish Hawks were put into storage. In 1953, the stored aircraft were scrapped.*

* Historical summary adapted from Wikipedia

S.B.S. Model is a Hungarian company that produces resin kits, multimedia accessories and decals.

They have recently released 1/72 scale decals for Finnish Curtiss Hawk 75As.

This set covers four Finnish Hawks that saw service during the period 1941 - 1944.

All four subjects are finished in Finnish colours, with one having solid green upper surfaces and the other three with disruptive green and black.

Instructions offer four views in full colour plus notes on the camouflage and markings.

The decals are provided on a single modest sized sheet.

There is no mention of who has printed the decals, but they look similar to Eduard's. Colours are vivid and registration is perfect.

These decals offer some interesting alternatives for your 1/72 scale Curtiss Hawk kits.

Thanks to SBS Model for the samples

Review Text Copyright © 2017 by Brett Green
Page Created 27 September, 2017
Last updated 27 September, 2017

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