Mushroom Model Publications

Curtiss Hawk H-75 in French Service

by  Lionel Persyn

Reviewed By  Pablo Bauleo, IPMS# 46363

MSRP: $22.00 ISBN: 978-83-61421-07-8 Website: www.mmpbooks.biz The Curtiss Hawk H-75 was purchased by the French Air Force as the war clouds begun to loom over Europe in 1938. By the time of the conflict five fighter groups were equipped with H-75 in front line service with the French Armée de l'Air. This book is profusely illustrated with black and white period photos plus a handful of color pictures, most of them of a restored aircraft. There are 44 beautiful color profiles of the H-75 in all the different liveries they wore while in French service. The narrative of the book is easy to read and describe the combat service of the French Hawks, against the Germans during the 1940, the skirmishes against the Royal Air Force in Africa during the Vichy-period; and finally against the US Navy Wildcats in 1942. Interestingly enough, the book mentions a RAF report which claims the H-75 to be more maneuverable than the Spitfire. That might explain why the H-75 fared very well against the Luftwaffe during the summer of 1940. They claimed over 234 victories, against about 67 losses combined between flak and air-combat. This book is very highly recommended to modelers and aviation enthusiasts alike. The period pictures combined with the color profiles are a very valuable resource for the modeler. I would like to thank Mushroom Model Publications for the review sample.