Chino Airshow 2015
P-36 Mohawk

The Curtiss P-36 Hawk was designed in 1934 by Don Berlin, a former Northrop designer. The first prototype flew on May 6, 1935. It's main competitor was the P-35 Guardsman. The Guardsman won the contract with an order for 77 aircraft. But the USAAC ordered 3 prototypes. With an upgraded engine, it won a contract with the USAAC for 210 fighters. Early teething problems led to delays in it's deployment. By the time all the problems were worked out, the P-36 was considered obsolete and was relegated to to overseas detachments and training units. Thirty-nine were delivered to Hawaii in February of 1941. This is the only place that the P-36 saw combat action for the US, with 5 taking off during the Pearl Harbor attack, shooting down 2 Zeroes. 1,115 P-36 Hawks were produced, with many serving in foreign militaries. Today, only two examples are in flyable condition.