Curtiss H75A-1 and tool box

Tulio · **Joined:** Mon May 03, 2004 1:05 am **Posts:** 3236

Today, I bought a former Ozark Airlines mechanic's tool chest that had been advertised on Craig’s List.

The rolling tool chest was evidently hand-made by the mechanic, out of aluminum; it is flush-riveted, and strongly built.

Besides all the tools and the literally hundreds of cobalt drill bits, I found a couple of Aviation mechanic’s handbooks,
Operator’s Handbook for Twin Wasp C3 Series Engines, and an old and well used Pilot’s checklist for C-47, C-47A,
C-53, C-53C, C-53D (Navy R4D-1, R4D-3 and R4D-5) w/ 1830-92 Engines.

Also old metal snips, countersink tools, and several tools whose purpose I completely ignore.

There are flat screwdrivers, but with the flat end split in two, and somehow, I’d guess, when you use them, they will apply different force to the screw heads?

Eventually, I will post photos of those tools, asking for identification from you guys on the know.

BUT, to my surprise, I found two Douglas Aircraft flashlights (black and yellow plastic), a C-47 door handle, and a data plate for a Curtiss H75A-1 Hawk, and a few tools for Twin Wasp engines.

The data on the plate indicates c/n 33, the date is 12-38 and there are two marks, one is triangular with C W 6 inside, and the other is hexagonal, with the letters PV inside.

Anyway, I could not find any information on the Curtiss Hawk c/n 33, but if any of you guys has info to share, I will appreciate it very much.

Saludos,

Tulio

The Inspector · **Posted:** Mon Aug 29, 2011 8:12 pm

The split tip screw stick was an attempt (which pops up as a 'new and amazing tool' from time to time) to cut down on the number of stripped out common screw heads which cause, Great anguish 'WHAT!?! Another one??', unusual amounts of invectives, verbs, and pronouns to fly, slipping off and gouging the surrounding surfaces (especially around doped fabric), and the distinct possibility that you could do an inadvertent Hara-Kiri maneuver on yourself. :shock:

Can't wait for the pictures!

phil65 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 29, 2011 8:20 pm

“There are flat screwdrivers, but with the flat end split in two, and somehow, I’d guess, when you use them, they will apply different force to the screw heads? “

Like this, maybe.

http://www.newmantools.com/kedman.htm

Pat · **Posted:** Mon Aug 29, 2011 10:22 pm

Tulio-
Please post pics of the homebuilt toolbox!
-Pat

Tulio · **Joined:** Mon May 03, 2004 1:05 am **Posts:** 3236

Okay guys, here they go.

The toolbox image is not mine, I copied it from the Craigslist ad; it is not dirty in reality, just a bad quality shot.

The middle image shows the split screwcdriver's flat surface [Don't know the correct name]

Tulio · **Joined:** Mon May 03, 2004 1:05 am **Posts:** 3236

More items, identification and function, if posible, please on the metallic tools.

Tulio · **Joined:** Mon May 03, 2004 1:05 am **Posts:** 3236

More:

Tulio · **Joined:** Mon May 03, 2004 1:05 am **Posts:** 3236

Is this an engine fuel primer?

AvroAvian · **Posted:** Tue Aug 30, 2011 6:11 am

Man! That tool box is a work of art!
Ok. I see you are now the proud owner of a Hawk 75 project, after the Douglas torch you have a pipe flaring tool, a pair of electrical wire terminal crimpers, the split end tools - dunno, a rivnut installing tool, a box set of Imperial Eastman Pipe Flaring Tools (I'd love those!!!!) and the last is vaguely reminiscent of one of the Kigas series of engine primers. What a great score!!

mike furline · **Joined:** Wed May 05, 2004 3:45 pm **Posts:** 2635

Found this,
Hawk 75A-1
This initial production version from the first contract was designated Hawk 75A-1 by Curtiss. According to the original plan, the majority of the Hawk 75A-1s were to be shipped by Curtiss in disassembled form to France, with assembly being completed in France by SNCAC at Bourges. The first Hawk 75A-1 was flown at Buffalo early in December 1938. The first Hawk 75A-1s were delivered by ship to France on December 14, 1938. Fourteen more Hawk 75A-1s were delivered in fully-assembled form for Armée de l'Air trials, but the rest were delivered in disassembled form. The first assembly was commenced by SNCAC in February 1939.

The Hawk 75A-1 was powered by the Pratt & Whitney R-1830-SC-G engine, offering 950 hp for takeoff. Armament comprised four 7.5 mm machine guns, two mounted in the upper decking of the fuselage nose and two in the wings. All instruments (apart from the altitude indicator) were metric calibrated. A modified seat was fitted to accommodate the French Lemercier back parachute. The throttles operated according to the French standard, i.e. in the direction reverse to the throttles of British or US aircraft. France adopted the manufacturer's number as the official serial number, so the aircraft of this series received Nos. 01 - 100.

During March and April of 1939, the 4e and 5e Escadres de Chasse had initiated conversion from the Dewoitine 500 and 501, and by July 1, 1939 the 4e Escadre had 54 Curtiss fighters on strength and the 5e Escadre had 41. The conversion had not been without problems, one Hawk 75A-1 having crash- landed when an over-speeding propeller had caused the engine to overheat, and another one had been destroyed in a fatal crash as a result of a flat spin that developed during aerobatic trials with full fuel tanks. Throughout the entire service history of the Hawk 75A, there were problems with manoeuvrability and handling when all the fuel tanks were completely full.

http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/we ... wk_75.html

http://www.amazon.com/CURTIS-HAWK-FRENC ... 8361421076

T-28mike · **Posted:** Tue Aug 30, 2011 8:34 am

The split screwdriver appears to be a "screw starter" used for starting a screw without it falling off the screwdriver. It should have a collar to cause the end to expand the blade into the screw slot. Start the screw, reduce the blade, remove and tighten screw with a normal screwdriver. The other split tools look like upholstery removal tools.

The Inspector · **Posted:** Tue Aug 30, 2011 9:15 am

First tool picture is an eletrical lug staking tool for big gage wires,Second tool is a tubing flaring block, the DOUGLAS flashlight should have a spring bulb retainer in the reflector making it fuel cell safe (explosion proof) usually the retainer was removed because it put a dark shadow right where you were trying to see. No idea on the two pry bars other than the square one looks like a HOME DEPOT special, the long tool with the handle is a RIVNUT installation tool used to pull and collapse and 'lock in' the barrel of a rivnut used where there was no access to the backside like fairings anchor points there is also a 'notching' cutter that looks just like it & is used to put a retaining notch in the hole edge for the RIVNUT so it won't spin later on, another tubing flaring tool for doing double flared ends.

*EDIT* Be aware that most luger tools are one way, meaning that once you start to close them, they need to be completely cycled to release the jaws, so don't stick your finger in the jaws! or, if you do, better be a really big guy 'cause it'll hurt a BUNCH!! Use a pencil to demonstrate them-

Tulio · **Joined:** Mon May 03, 2004 1:05 am **Posts:** 3236

Thanks a bunch!

There is no slipping ring on the split screwdrivers (four different ones, I think). The RivNut thingie, came with a small cloth bag with about fifty of them Rivnuts.

Of course when someone points to the obvious, then it makes perfect sense! Those tools look like they would be perfect for removing upholstery. The inside blades on one of them though, are sharpened and would cut anything easily.

The flaring tools come in their own, but well used, tin box. I can barely make out what is left of the manufacturer's decal.

I had to go back today to the seller's place, because I noticed from the sale ad, that there were a few items missing, so I got more tools, C-clamps and other goodies.

Saludos,

Tulio

Pogmusic · **Posted:** Wed Aug 31, 2011 10:32 am

You have the data plate. So, you're well on your way to a complete rebuild of a Hawk 75! Woo-hoo! First flight would be when??? :lol:

Tulio · **Joined:** Mon May 03, 2004 1:05 am **Posts:** 3236

Dunno, but I have the ligthing issue resolved, already :drink3:

Saludos,

Tulio

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