FS2004/FSX Curtiss P-6E Hawk biplane fighter
Curtiss-built biplanes that equipped fighter units of the Air corps and Navy during the 1920's and 30's were inspired by the air racing during the early 1930's. During 1925, Curtiss received an order for fifteen fighters to be designated P-1, the first aircraft in the Air Service's new standard designations. The Navy was also interested and purchased eleven of the machines under the designation of F4C.
The most famous of the Hawks was the P-6, first flown in 1929. The P-6E had a modified fuselage, single strut landing gear with stylish wheel fairings and a 700 hp engine with Prestone cooling.
A total of 46 production P-6E's were delivered to the three fighter squadrons, the 17th, 33rd and the 95th. The Snow Owl engine cover markings were applied for participation in the 1932 Air Races.The closed wheelcovers caused problems when operating off dirt and grass fields in wet weather and in the winter. Mud and snow would build up inside the covers. As a result, the outboard portion of the covers was frequently removed, leaving the wheel uncovered.As a transitional design, the P-6 featured superior performance for a biplane design of its time, this despite the fact that only forty-six P-6 aircraft were ever ordered into frontline service, even when defense spending for the American military were severely held in check through the Great Depression years.
The P-6 Hawk series went on to see modest export success, albeit in limited numbers, throughout the world - particularly to Latin American customers. The United States Navy also utilized the plane with a different designation and some slight modifications.In all, the P-6 Hawk series would appear as the final stepping stone to more advance aircraft design and engineering, which would take a final leap with the start of World War Two. This American "between wars" design served its purpose and its role quite well.

The last eighteen P-6E's were retired from the service in 1939, mostly donated to flying schools as non-flying training aids.


Effects
--------
-On startup there is automatic engine smoke.
-Nose guns with flash, smoke and falling cartridges can be triggered with the standard Strobe key (O).
It is much nicer however if you put the FS2004/FSX standard Strobe key (O) to the trigger from your joystick. You can change this in the Key menu.
It is a good idea if you replace the standard (L) key for lights by the L+CTRL, (normaly activating the landing lights only). This avoids you having to have all lights on when pulling the trigger.
-Remember: the guns are fired with the 'o'key. If you put lights on for the first time, they'll fire the guns and you have to stop firing by use of the 'o' key again.

Installation:
==============
-Unzip " Curtiss P6E" into a temporary file and move the "Curtiss P6E" folder into the main Aircraft directory.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
-Read instructions carefully when installing the gauges , say YES...when asked if the gauges sources should be trusted. If you say no....most of the gauges are not going to work !
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
-Leave the instruments.cab in your panel folder.
-Copy the effects into the Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator X\effects folder.
-Add the 20can.wav in your Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator X\sound folder.

ATTENTION :
-For FS2004, change the FS9_Wing_Guns.fx into FX_Wing_Guns.fx
-For FSX change the FSX_Wing_Guns.fx into FX_Wing_Guns.fx
-If having trouble with the cockpit transparencies or turningprop in FSX acceleration or FSX demo, copy the glass.bmp and propdisk3.bmp from the Acceleration.texture into the plane's texture folder.

FLYING
======
This plane is a honest and nice aerobatic flyer. Mind your speed on landing and keep some power before touchdown.


CREDITS
=======
Special thanks to :
-GMAX for the drawing program and Microsoft for their makmdls.mdk.


LEGAL:
======
The project is released as freeware. You may modify it and repaint it. You may upload this file to another website as long as it is not for profit.
You need the written permission of the original authors to use any of these files for commercial purposes, otherwise a simple credit would be nice. Non commercial repaints-remakes are welcome but I would appreciate very much receiving a copy of your model.
This file should not cause any problems with your computer, but I accept no responsibility if you think it does. Remarks and hints are welcome and are being considered.


Happy Landings!

A.F.Scrub
March 2010
Email: af_scrubbypc@hotmail.com