Performance modifications done at Squadron level. (2 Viewers)

Bearn and Jeanne d' Arc, stranded at Martinique June 1940
6 Brewster Buffalo for Belgium, nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, became derelict
23 Curtiss Hawk H75A-4, some reported to Free French later in war
33 Stinson 105, to Free French later in war
44 Curtiss SBC Helldivers, ex USN, became derelict
Different sources give different numbers of aircraft, the above from Air Arsenal North America, which says "some" H75A-4

Original French Order was 285 H-75A-4/Mohawk IV/H751 serials 1 to 285, Distribution was 81 to France, numbers 1 to 64, 79 to 90, 92 to 94, 96, 97, the other 204 to Britain.

Bearn numbers 59 to 64 (13864 to 13869), 83/13888, 85/13890, 86/13891, 88 to 90 (13893 to 13895), 92 to 94 (13897 to 1390), 96/13901, 97/13902 = 17 aircraft
Jeanne d' Arc numbers 79 to 82 (13884 to 13887), 84/13889, 87/13892 = 6 aircraft

It is probable Bearn shipped uncrated aircraft, Jeanne d'Arc crated ones, the former were stored in the open and (mostly?) went derelict.

The final H75 shipment that made it to France was the Indo Chinois dated 25 May with numbers 26 to 58 (31879 to 13863). As far as I know the H75 were sent to France, some other US types were sent to North Africa for assembly before being flown to France.

Buz101 said:

The book you use as reference has some significant issues reference the French Hawks

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The first couple of volumes of Air Enthusiast (Circa 1972, I have bound volumes) have a series of articles on the Hawk 75 that present certainly a more complete and probably a more accurate history of the airplane but scanning them and presenting them here requires more effort than I am prepared to undertake at this time. But you might have a look at that publication.

MIflyer said:

The first couple of volumes of Air Enthusiast (Circa 1972, I have bound volumes) have a series of articles on the Hawk 75 that present certainly a more complete and probably a more accurate history of the airplane but scanning them and presenting them here requires more effort than I am prepared to undertake at this time. But you might have a look at that publication.

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Fair call - another good book should you wish to find it is Curtiss Fighter Aircraft - A photographic history 1917-1948 - but there's quiet a few out there these days.

I think the numbers and identity of the Hawks that arrived in the UK could be an interesting area of research, depending on whats written on the AM78's.

Buz

According to "Curtiss Fighter Aircraft - A photographic history 1917-1948" The British wound up with a few more Hawk 75s than 204.
The 204 were all the ex French 75A-4s and were called Mohawk IVs. The Mohawk I, II, and IIIs were designations assigned to the Hawk 75A-1, A-2 and A-3 that escaped from France and later French territories in North Africa (4 aircraft?). Since these arrived in different places, at different times and in one's and two's (?) collecting them, refurbishing them and issuing them to units was pretty low priority. The British did pick a couple of handfuls of other Hawk 75s.
They got about 5 (?) out of the Chinese/Indian adventure and 9/10 more when the British took over Iran, Mostly/entirely still in crates. The Iranian planes were Mohawk IVs and 9 would up in India with the No 151 OTU with serial numbers LA157 to LA165. Serial number LA166 was assigned to the 10th airframe but records are unclear what happened to it (according to Curtiss Fighter Aircraft - A photographic history 1917-1948). The planes where built to hold 6 guns but either no guns or only the two fuselage guns were installed when delivered.
The Chinese/Indian aircraft were used in India with the EX-French contract aircraft.
15-16 of the EX-French aircraft were given to Portugal in late 1941 and they remained in service (in diminishing numbers) until mid 1945.

Shortround6 said:

According to "Curtiss Fighter Aircraft - A photographic history 1917-1948" The British wound up with a few more Hawk 75s than 204.
The 204 were all the ex French 75A-4s and were called Mohawk IVs. The Mohawk I, II, and IIIs were designations assigned to the Hawk 75A-1, A-2 and A-3 that escaped from France and later French territories in North Africa (4 aircraft?).
They got about 5 (?) out of the Chinese/Indian adventure and 9/10 more when the British took over Iran, Mostly/entirely still in crates. The Iranian planes were Mohawk IVs and 9 would up in India with the No 151 OTU with serial numbers LA157 to LA165. Serial number LA166 was assigned to the 10th airframe but records are unclear what happened to it
The Chinese/Indian aircraft were used in India with the EX-French contract aircraft.
15-16 of the EX-French aircraft were given to Portugal in late 1941 and they remained in service (in diminishing numbers) until mid 1945.

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The section of the book needs an update. It is likely the 4 Middle East issued RAF Mohawk serials HK823 to HK826 are for SAAF Mohawks, corresponding to the 4 Mohawks that have 2 SAAF serials. That is RAF serial issued in Britain, arrive South Africa, receive SAAF serial, arrive Middle East via SAAF operations in East Africa, receive RAF Middle East serial, return South Africa, receive new SAAF serial. The different commands are unlikely to have known the serial histories.

SAAF 2501 to 2559 direct from Britain, but some seem to have been sent direct to East Africa, 2560 to 2564 and 2566 to 2573 aircraft originally sent to Takoradi then on to Middle East, 2574 to 2577 second SAAF serials, 2580 aircraft originally sent to Takoradi then to Middle East. Assuming I have the serials correct.

Stories of French H75 being flown to British bases by defecting pilots would need to match stories of such aircraft being handed over to Free French units without any RAF serial allocated.

AR630 to 634 were ex Norway Mohawk III, giving 209 serials issued in Britain, 5 ex Norway order, 204 ex France order Mohawk IV

65 AR630 AR694
19 AX880 AX898
20 BB918 BB937
6 BB974 BB979
20 BJ434 BJ453
20 BJ531 BJ550
20 BK569 BK588
4 BK876 BK879
4 BL220 BL223
9 BS730 BS738
4 BS744 BS747
15 BS784 BS798
3 BT470 BT472

The 10 machines for Persia/Iran were H75A-9, accepted and exported March/April 1941, the occupation of Iran began on 25 August, many sources list their RAF serials as LA157 to LA165, that is 9 aircraft. RAF Form 78 Aircraft Cards exist for LA157, 158, 159, 163, 164, 165 saying South East Asia and giving disposal date, there are no entries in the RAF Serial Registers. These aircraft seem to have existed outside the standard accounting system, at least for February 1943 to June 1944, which has 209 Mohawks in total.

No RAF serials issued for any reported Chinese/Indian production.

Britain sent to Portugal 11 Mohawk in August and another 5 in October 1941, AR636, AR642, AR652, AR668, AR679, AR680, AX882, AX886, BB927, BJ531, BJ547, BJ548, BK582, BL220, BS732, BS789

According to the British Import/Export figures 204 into Britain (missing the Norwegian ones), which then exported 17 to Middle East November 1940 and January 1941 (via Takoradi, the 16 survivors not flown out until late 1941 on), many of these to South Africa via the Middle East, 62 to South Africa, 16 to Portugal and 86 to India.

And then there were the ones built in Argentina.

A little snippet of the operational history in the CBI, from Shores "Air War for Burma" / Bloody Shambles Vol. 3.

Page 34, 17 Nov 1942
I think this was the first combat involving the Mohawks.

Morning
8 Blenheim IV boimbers from 60 Sqn and four more from 113 Sqn attacked the docks at Akyab, escorted by 8 Mohawk IVs of 155 Sqn RAF. These were attacked by a CAP of 6 Ki-43-Is from the elite 64th Sentai unit. In the ensuing dogfight, 64th Sentai claimed 2 Mohawks, 155 Sqn claimed 2 Ki-43s (one shared with Blenheim bombers). Actual losses were 2 Mohawks and 1 Blenheim on the RAF side, and 1 Ki-43-I on the 64th Sentai, piloted by Capt. Hareyasu Maruo (the commander).

Afternoon
11 Blenheim IV bombers from the 113 Sqn RAF and 6 more from the 34 and 60 Sqns RAF were sent on a mission to bomb Satogya Creek shipyards, escorted by (I think?) nine Mohawk IVs of 5 Sqn RAF. One Blenheim was shot down reportedly by AAA.

These were divided into a high cover of 4 fighters flying at 14,000 ft and another group (he doesn't indicate how many) flying close escort near the bombers closer to 8,000 ft. These were attacked by 8 x Ki-43-Is from the elite 64th Sentai, divided into two groups of four. The JAAF fighters immediately shot down two 34 Sqn Blenheims which were straggling behind the others, piloted by HA Elliot RCAF and A.M. Howe of the RAF. The Ki-43s were then engaged by the close escort which seems to have been five Mohawks (but I'm not certain, going by the number of pilots he mentions). The Mohawk pilots claimed two shot down, one 'probable' and five 'damaged', before one flown by Pt Off R.S. Tovey was hit in a collision by a Ki-43 which was seen to crash, sending Tovey's Mohawk into a spin but he recovered and flew home. The 64th Sentai Hayabusa pilots claimed two Mohawks shot down.

No Mohawks were actually lost, 64th Sentai lost two Ki-43-Is, one from the collision and another whose pilot was wounded and later force-landed and died.

Total losses for the day were 3 x Blenheim IV shot down, 2 x Mohawk IV, and 3 x Ki-43. Two more Blenheims and two Mohawks were significantly damaged though they landed back at base. The 155 Sqn pilots noted that their Mohawk IVs "could turn with the Ki-43s."

10 Dec 1942
(I think this was the first combat involving Huricanes in this area)

During a major bombing raid on Chittagong, 7 Ki-43-Is from the 50th Sentai spotted 12 Hurricane IICs (6 each from 135 and 136 Sqn). Two Hurricanes were immediately shot down, with a third evading. This was spotted by another Ki-43-I from 64th Sentai which attacked it until it crash landed on the beach. 135 Sqn meanwhile claimed three Ki-43s 'probable'). One 50th Sentai Ki-43 was in fact lost, no other damage reported.

So total losses were 3 x Hurricane IIC and 1 Ki-43-I.

24 Dec 1942
8 Hurricane IIB and IIC (4 each from 607 and 615 Sqn) made a strafing run at Magwe on Christmas Eve. RAF pilots claimed two Ki-43s, but they lost two Hurricanes. Actual losses seem to be those two Hurricanes plus one Ki-43 destroyed on the ground.

26 Dec 1942
10 Ki-43-I from 50th Sentai escorted nine Ki-48 from 8th Sentai who attacked the US base near Kunming, China. These were intercepted by P-40s from the USAAF 16th FS, 23rd FG. The US pilots claimed 7 Zeros and 2 bombers and a twin engined recon aircraft. Actual losses were 2 P-40s (one apparently to defensive guns by the bombers) and 1 Ki-43. One of the bombers was set on fire but the crew put the fire out and it and one other shot up Ki-48 also managed to land back at base. Another Ki-43 was badly damaged but also landed at base.

16 Jan 1943
Another raid by 50th Sentai Ki-43-Is escorting Ki-48 bombers against Kunming (he doesn't say how many) again intercepted by 16th FS P-40s from the 23rd FG (also doesn't say how many), which claimed 11 "Army Zeros" and one bomber. Actual losses were one Ki-43-I shot down and one crash landed. 50th Sentai claimed three P-40s but none seem to have been lost.

19 Jan 1943
Mohawk IV of 5 Sqn RAF (he doesn't say how many) were escorting Bisleys (Blenheim Mk V) to bomb Akyab. This group ran into 6 Ki-43-Is from 1 Chutai and seven from the 3 Chutai of 50th Sentai. In the resulting 20-30 minute dogfight, claimed one destroyed (due to another collision) and several damaged. 50th Sentai claimd 7 Mohawks shot down and 9 probables - plus 2 Hurricanes, which may have been some 28 Sqn TacR Hurricanes which were flying by the melee. Actual losses were 1 Ki-43-I destroyed, no RAF planes lost. Three Mohawks and one Bisley were damaged but all landed safely back at base.

12 February 1943
6 Ki-43-II (their first action with this unit I think) escorted 3 Ki-48s to bomb Akyab, reported being attacked by "six Hurricanes and two Mohawks". Shores doesn't find any indication of Hurricanes being present, one Ki-43-II was destroyed by Flt Sgt D.R. Wicks.

20 February 1943
11 x Ki-43-II escorting 3 Ki-48s to attack Akyab. These were intercepted by 5 Hurricane IIC from 135 Sn which were attacked by 3 of the Ki-43-IIs, the other 8 continuing with the bombers. Result was 2 Hurricanes shot down, no JAAF losses.

25 February 1943
21 Ki-43-II from 64th and 50th Sentais escorted 9 Ki-21s from 98th Sentai to attack Dibrugark. These were attacked by up to 32 P-40s from the 25th and 26th FS of the 51s FG. Most of the Ki-43s got into a dogfight with the P-40s allowing some other P-40s to attack the bombers. 64th Sentai claimed 5 P-40s destroyed, but none actually were. US pilots claimed 12 enemy planes but actual losses were 1 Ki-21 and 1 Ki-43, the pilot was Major Takeo Akera, the commander, who was killed.

28 February 1943
16 Ki-43 from 50th Sentai intercepted 6 Blenheims from 60 Sqn escorted by 7 Hurricane IIB and IIC from 136 Squadron. More Hurricanes from 79 and 607 Sqn then scrambled and joined the fight. Results were 2 Hurricanes shot down, one more crash landed, and another landed heavily damaged. None of the Ki-43s were shot down or seriously damaged.

One interesting thing worth noting is that in all of these little skirmishes, multiple aircraft were shot up but made it back to base. All of the Japanese planes and the Mohawks all lacked self sealing fuel tanks as far as I know, and the Mohawks and Ki-43-IIs had a bit of armor but not much. Yet they seemed to survive a lot of battle damage.

NZTyphoon said:

This is what happened to the Spitfire I, X4110 of 602 Sqn after being hit by some (probably) MG-FF/M Mine shells on 18 August 1940...total operational life = 1 hour.

View attachment 858295View attachment 858296View attachment 858297
Colours of mine shell would have been the same as those of the MG 151/20.

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Were the unit numbers painted over before this photo?

Admiral Beez said:

Were the unit numbers painted over before this photo?

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No, the squadron had only just received X4110 and hadn't had time to paint the squadron codes (LO), or aircraft letter, before the Spitfire flew its first and only operational sortie.