Photograph:
Drawing of the proposed Hawk C3 (Author’s collection)
Country of origin:
Australia
Description:
Light sporting aircraft
Power Plant:
One 93 kw (125 hp) Menasco C4 four-cylinder in-line air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- [Estimated]
- Max speed at 305 m (1,000 ft): 233 km/h (145 mph)
- Cruising speed: 206 km/h (128 mph)
- Landing speed: 71 km/h (44 mph)
- Rate of climb: 366 m/min (1,200 ft/min)
- Range with pilot only: 1,030 km (640 miles)
- Range with pilot and passenger: 644 km (400 miles)
History:
The development of the Hawk C3 was commissioned by Clifford Carpenter in February 1934, the aircraft being designed by James Connolly (Secretary of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Sydney Branch) who had previously designed two aircraft, known as the C1 and C2 but which were never built. Some stress calculations were done and it was announced the aircraft would be built by Tugan Aircraft at Mascot, NSW, would become part of the Company’s range of aircraft and would be fitted with a 93 kw (125 hp) Menasco C4 engine. In March 1935 Connolly left for the United Kingdom to take up a position with Hawker Aircraft Ltd and did not return, leaving the program incomplete.
The Hawk was to be of wooden construction with metal ailerons and seating two in tandem. It was proposed that for production aircraft a 71 kw (95 hp) Menasco B4 engine would also be offered. It seems that work commenced on the construction of a prototype but this aircraft was never completed. Development and construction of the design of the Hawk eventually led to the Palcar TWA-3 and TWA-4 (see separate article). Tugan Aircraft showed interest in other designs in the 1930s, including a project called the Fledgling, but nothing came of this design.