Curtiss BF-2c-1 „Hawk“ – the American fighter

Curtiss BF2C “Hawk”/”Goshawk” - a single-engine, single-seat, deck fighter or dive bomber, designed as a development of the Curtiss BFC aircraft. 1 XBF2C-1 prototype (originally designated XF-11C-3, converted from F11C-2/BFc-2) and 27 serial units were built, designated as the BF2C-1 version (originally designated F 11C-3). These Curtiss could carry 4 x 112 lb bombs under the wings and one 500 lb under the fuselage. An additional fuel tank is often attached instead this bomb. The plane was supposed to serve as a dive bomber, fighter functions were secondary. These aircraft entered service in the mid-1930s, but due to problems with the undercarriage struts, which were vulnerable, when landing on the deck, they only spent a few months in the armory of the aircraft carrier USS “Ranger”. These were the last Curtiss planes, used by the US Navy. Over 100 BF2Cs were sold to China, where they were called Curtiss "Hawk III" and were produced there under license.

The model is quite difficult to glue due to the rather complex shapes and the print on the chalk paper. However, chalk paper is the only way to accurately reproduce the "metallic" structure of the aircraft's panels, which looks very good in this publication. A well-detailed and un simplistic model, that we do not recommend gluing even for a modeler, who has glued several more complex models. Unless there will always be a more experienced colleague nearby, ready to advise you. A well projected model airplane for the era with excellent detailing.