A rare piece of American aviation history is on the move. Collector Walter Bowe has acquired the last Curtiss P-36C built (s/n 38-210) from The Fighter Collection (TFC) in Duxford, England. Platinum Fighter Sales curated the deal. Vintage Aviation News had been aware of the transaction but respected the wishes of all parties involved until now. The aircraft, meticulously restored by Matt Nightingale and Cal Aerofab, is currently being disassembled at Duxford for shipment to its new home in California. Nigel Hitchman’s recent photograph captures the P-36 as it is prepared for its transatlantic journey.
Built in 1939 and delivered to Selfridge Field, Michigan that May, this P-36C boasts an extraordinary history. It took part in the 1939 Cleveland Air Races, wearing experimental camouflage, before joining the Maxwell Field War Games later that year. In 1940, it was transferred to Wright-Patterson Field for testing, followed by assignments with several East Coast squadrons.
By 1942, the aircraft was reassigned to the Chanute Technical Training Command for a brief period before being declared obsolete and flown to Buckley Field, Colorado. Retired from active duty, it became a training aid at a technical school before being purchased by a Pratt & Whitney technical instructor in Canada. Decades later, the fighter found its way to a Florida collector, who eventually sold it to TFC more than ten years ago. Restoration efforts began in earnest about four years ago under Matt Nightingale’s leadership at Chino, California, when enough original components were located to ensure an airworthy rebuild.
Following restoration, legendary pilot Steve Hinton conducted the shakedown flights, and the FAA-certified P-36C made its first public appearances at the 2015 Planes of Fame Airshow, including a memorable formation flight with the museum’s Seversky P-35 in matching markings. Vintage Aviation News will continue coverage when the P-36 arrives in California and takes to the skies once again. For more information about the Ala Doble Collection, visit www.aladobleflyingcollection.org
