2996 Victor
Airman
User Name: 2996 Victor
Name: Mark
Category: Intermediate
Kit: AZmodel AZ7643 Curtiss Mohawk Mk.IV "Over CBI"
Scale: 1/72
Accessories: Black Cat Decals 72013, Aires 7092 Wright R-1820 Cyclone, maybe some etch too
My subject will be Mohawk XY+C/482 based at Rabo de Peixe aerodrome, S Miguel Island, Azores in 1944.
The Portuguese Arma da Aeronautica took delivery of sixteen Mohawk Mk.IVs from RAF stocks in 1941, although only 11 were ever airworthy and a further six were lost to accidents over the following four years. The remaining aircraft were retired in 1945. The Mohawks remained on the mainland until deployed to the Azores in July 1944 with Esquadrilha Expedicionaria de Caca No.3 (EEC.3), where they replaced the Gloster Gladiators of EEC.1. Lack of fuel and poor serviceability meant that the Mohawks were little used: they were unpopular with their pilots due to problems with the electrical systems caused by the humid salt-laden air of the Azores, and poor engine reliability due oil starvation (RAF Mohawks in Burma were also prone to this, but RAF fitters managed to resolve the problem). Engine problems led to several forced landings, some of which had fatal consequences.
These aircraft were finished in US-equivalent paints*** to the Temperate Land Scheme of Dark Green/Dark Earth over Sky Type S, and with the exception of touch-ups remained in this scheme all their lives. The Cruz de Cristo national marking was applied in six positions, the wing markings being on white discs. Flight codes and serials were white, and the green/red Portuguese flag with coat of arms was applied to the rudder.
***EDIT
Ah, but were they? Or were they painted by RAF MUs after they'd arrived in Britain? Research continues.....
Name: Mark
Category: Intermediate
Kit: AZmodel AZ7643 Curtiss Mohawk Mk.IV "Over CBI"
Scale: 1/72
Accessories: Black Cat Decals 72013, Aires 7092 Wright R-1820 Cyclone, maybe some etch too
My subject will be Mohawk XY+C/482 based at Rabo de Peixe aerodrome, S Miguel Island, Azores in 1944.
The Portuguese Arma da Aeronautica took delivery of sixteen Mohawk Mk.IVs from RAF stocks in 1941, although only 11 were ever airworthy and a further six were lost to accidents over the following four years. The remaining aircraft were retired in 1945. The Mohawks remained on the mainland until deployed to the Azores in July 1944 with Esquadrilha Expedicionaria de Caca No.3 (EEC.3), where they replaced the Gloster Gladiators of EEC.1. Lack of fuel and poor serviceability meant that the Mohawks were little used: they were unpopular with their pilots due to problems with the electrical systems caused by the humid salt-laden air of the Azores, and poor engine reliability due oil starvation (RAF Mohawks in Burma were also prone to this, but RAF fitters managed to resolve the problem). Engine problems led to several forced landings, some of which had fatal consequences.
These aircraft were finished in US-equivalent paints*** to the Temperate Land Scheme of Dark Green/Dark Earth over Sky Type S, and with the exception of touch-ups remained in this scheme all their lives. The Cruz de Cristo national marking was applied in six positions, the wing markings being on white discs. Flight codes and serials were white, and the green/red Portuguese flag with coat of arms was applied to the rudder.
***EDIT
Ah, but were they? Or were they painted by RAF MUs after they'd arrived in Britain? Research continues.....
Last edited:
I've got the three-part article in Air Enthusiast that I must re-read, which will hopefully tell me. I've been on the lookout for Hagedorn & Tincopa's "Curtiss Design 75" but it seems to be OOP and second hand copies are going for silly money. Ho hum!
