As I know Argentina purchased and built Curtiss "Hawk" 75O, which is simple version of basic design. Did any of you have more info?
After purchasing the 75H demonstrator [NR1277] c/n 12328, the Argentine government ordered 29 production examples of the fixed-gear Hawk 75 with 875hp Cyclone. Designated Hawk 75O by the Curtiss, these planes had a similar undercarriage to the Thai Hawk 75N and featured a redesigned engine exhaust system with a semi-circle of electrically-operated gills at the rear of the cowling. Armament was four 7.62mm Madsen machine guns. The first Hawk 75O was completed by Curtiss in late Nov 1938. The planes were serialed C-601 through C-630.
At the same time, Argentina acquired a license to manufacture the 75O at the Fabrica Militar de Aviones. The first FMA-built Hawk was delivered on Sep 16, 1940. A total of 20 was built, with serials being C-631 to C-650. Some of the Hawks remained in service for over a decade, the last ones operating from El Plumerillo in western Argentina until 1953, when they were transferred to training units until being withdrawn.
Several continued to fly into the 1960s as well maintained pets of high-ranking officers. As a sad note, the last two complete Argentine Hawks were cut up during the Falklands/Malvinas war of 1982.
Maximum speed was 239 mph at sea level and 280 mph at 10,700 feet. Initial climb rate was 2340 ft/min. An altitude of 23,000 feet could be attained in 12.52 minutes. Service ceiling was 31,800 feet. Empty and loaded weights were 3975 lbs and 5172 lbs.
Construction numbers of the Curtiss-built H-75Os were c/n 12769 through 12797.
