JACK FISHER COLLECTION
No. 9618. Curtiss 34Q P-6A Hawk US Army Air Corps
Aeroplane Photo Supply (APS) Photo No. 2050

Curtiss 34Q P-6A Hawk

01/31/2010. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "Installation of the new 600 hp Curtiss V-1570-1 Conqueror engine in a P-2 airframe for participation in the September 1927 air races at Spokane led to the Model 34P, military designation XP-6. A similarly-powered aircraft utilizing a P-1A fuselage, XPW-8A wings and surface radiators became the Model 34Q, military designation XP-6A. A third Conqueror-powered conversion of a P-1C airframe for a New York-Alaska flight, in July 1929, was assigned the designation Model 34O XP-6B.

Although these aircraft were intended purely to prove the Conqueror engine, the success of this power plant prompted a USAAC order for eighteen P-6s on October 3, 1928, these being powered by the 600 hp liquid-cooled V-1570-17. Although generally similar to the P-1 in construction, they embodied extensively revised fuselage contours. Deliveries commenced in October 1929, but with the 11th aircraft Prestone (ethylene glycol) cooling was introduced, the designation changing to P-6A.

The V-1570-23 engine in the P-6A had a similar rating to that of the V-1570-17 that it supplanted; armament remained unchanged at two 0.3 in (7.62 mm) guns. In service, eight of the Army Air Corps P-6s were brought up to P-6A standards. Eight additional P-6s were delivered to the Netherlands East Indies and one to Japan under the export designation Hawk I."

Created January 31, 2010