Finnish Curtiss H-75As

[CJE]

Before being sent in crates to Finland, the first batches of Curtiss H-75As were brought up to German standards by Espenlaub Flugzeugwerke at Wuppertal-Langerfeld (Spring 1941).
Were they fitted with German machine-guns?

Thanks in advance.

Chris

[Tom Willis]

Hi Christoph - I know that they were fitted with German radio equipment but cannot see why they would be fitted with German armament

Regards - Tom

[Graham Boak]

That would depend upon what ammunition and spares were available to the Finns.

[Modeldad]

It seems they all kept their Browning machine guns. The delivery was a mix of early and late Hawks from both French and Norwegian sources.

[Kari Lumppio]

Hi!

Many Finnish Curtisses got at least one 12,7 mm machine gun. Already in 1941. At least Soviet Berezina and Finnish VKT were used. Suomen Ilmailuhistoriallinen Lehti has had article(s) of the theme. No time to look for them right now.

Don't remember the little gun identity.

Kari

[CJE]

Originally Posted by Kari Lumppio

Many Finnish Curtisses got at least one 12,7 mm machine gun. Already in 1941. At least Soviet Berezina and Finnish VKT were used. Suomen Ilmailuhistoriallinen Lehti has had article(s) of the theme. No time to look for them right now.

Most interesting. I had never heard of this before.
When you have some time to spare, can you be more specific?
Many thanks.

Chris

[Snautzer]

Suomen Ilmavoimien Historia 5 Curtiss Hawk 75A,P-40M
Changes FuG7A, bombs Revi3d or C/12D

.

[Modeldad]

Not reading Finnish, would these have been replacements guns installed in Finland due to lack of access to original equipment?

[Seaplanes]

Unfortunately, it has ben an established «fact» that the overhaul and part conversion of Curtiss Hawk 75A taken over in France and Norway was done by Espenlaub Flugzeugwerke. Contemporary Umbau (conversion) programs issued by RLM show that this work was contracted to Weser Flugzeugbau, rep. Works at Berlin-Tempelhof.