1/48 Hobbycraft Curtiss H75 A3

Free French

by Laurent “Angus” Beauvais

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Hello, I do continue my series of non French aircraft with French markings. This time the Curtiss H75 as named in France.

This one is a little bit special, as only 2 H75 are known as Free French fighters. This is what I have learned about it (information found on www.master194.com, thanks chaps). It did first belong to the “6eme Escadrille de chasse autonome” (6th fighter squadron) based in Thies (Senegal). Officially this squadron had no Curtiss fighters but D520, but as it was based near Dakar (Senegal), it was considered as advanced training unit for GC I/4 (Fighter Group I/4), and so used non official H75.

I must mention here the story of Sergent Milan: During the war in France, he crashed in the occupied French zone and was jailed in Germany. He escaped and asked to be affected in Africa, his aim being to join the Free French Forces. He was then affected in Thies, before a flight, his preferred joke was “today I fly to Gambie”.  

In 1941, Feb. The 10th,  coming back from a patrol, he dived in the direction of Gambie but was intercepted by his wingman that forced him to come back to Thies.  He made a very long landing, and surprising his wingman, took off again, then made a low passage to make a very impolite sign to the reception committee that was waiting for him.

He was then sent to Bangui. He died accidentally in his Curtiss on Nov. 27, 1941.

Click on images below to see larger images

Paint scheme is subject to caution, as every French aircraft of this period. The Hobbycraft kit is nice, except for the transparent parts that do not fit well, wind screen is too large in particular.

Laurent 

Photos and text © by Laurent “Angus” Beauvais