More Blackhawk Aircraft


       In issue No. 9 the Blackhawks use this "scout plane" to look for a secret Japanese base. Why it is preferable to their F5F-1 Skyrockets is not explained. Maybe it has longer range.
      In issue No. 242 the Blackhawks are shown flying Spitfires in full Blackhawk livery. Perhaps they flew the Spits until they could get their F5F-1 Skyrockets. Actually, it is probably just another mistake in continuity. From the time of the introduction of the "Combat Diaries" through the series cancellation in 1968, the stories set in WW II never used the F5F-1s, and were not very consistent in the aircraft used.
      In several "Combat Diaries," the Blackhawks are seen flying single engine aircraft in their disctinctive silver and red livery complete with emblem. I had originally thought that they were birdcage Corsairs, or maybe razor back P-47 Thunderbolts, but Victor J. Benz suggests that it could be a Curtiss P-36A or Mohawk in British service. After looking at a few pictures of the real P-36A, I tend to agree with him. The aircraft in this picture, from issue No. 224, look very much like a Curtiss P-36A. The part of the wing that I had interpreted as the inverted gull wing root of a Corsair is actually the landing gear housing of a P-36A. And since it was later established that the Blackhawks were sponsored by Churchill, it is reasonable that they might be Mohawks provided by the British.
      In issue No. 185 the Blackhawks fly a Grumman HU-16 Albatross in Blackhawk markings.
      In issue No. 59 the Blackhawks fly a large, four engine seaplane in Blackhawk markings.
      This unlikely looking mini-jet had engine trouble in issue No. 177. It spent most of its time taxing around on the ground, serving as a jeep.
      issue No. 207 depicts a jet powered amphibian. It doesn't look very practical with the engines hanging below the wings. The U.S. Navy actually tested a similar jet powered sea plane, the Martin P6M Seamaster, but its engines were mounted above the wings to avoid sucking water into the intakes.
      Many helicopters appear in the Blackhawk comic books in all sorts of color and marking combinations. Most of them resemble this one (from issue No. 221) in shape and layout. Sometimes they were equipped with floats.

Click to see larger version

      When "../" was revived in 1976 (issue No. 244) the Black Knights had a new VTOL plane. This panel is from #245. It wasn't based on any real aircraft, and its depiction was fairly inconsistent. In the last issue of this revival, the plane has air intakes in the nose and in the wings! CLICK HERE for another picture of this plane.

UPDATE: I stated above that this plane wasn't based on any real aircraft. I've recently received two suggestions to the contrary. The first was from David Siguenza-Tortosa. He said: "I think it's really based on the French-built Baroudeur. At least, that's what it looks like from the picture." And then I received the following from Mick Carpenter: "I served my apprenticeship with Hawker Siddeley Aviation ( British Aerospace as is now ) as an airframe fitter on military aircraft. Our factory was concerned with the repair and modification of anything the RAF flew and it was because of this that I got to work on many old jet aircraft. When the mercenary version of Blackhawks came out, Issue 244, I couldn't help but notice that the Hawkjets bore a more than passing resemblance to the aircraft I was working on at the time. This aircraft was the famous HAWKER HUNTER single seat fighter."

Obviously, the plane in the comic is not exactly either of the two suggested by David and Mick, but there are some elements in it that could be taken from them. The wing is definately from the Hunter, but the tail more closely resembles the Baroudeur. The canopy looks a bit more like the Hunter's to me. The fuselage isn't much like either, especially since it is a twin engine aircraft while both the real aircraft are single engine. When I get around to building a model of this plane, I think I will use a kit of the Hunter, both because it is pretty close to the drawings and because kits of the Hunter are readily available. Thanks to David and Mick for broadening the discussion on this one.

      Blackhawk's publication in Mexico had a complicated history, part of which included original stories produced by Mexican artists. In El Halcon Negro issue No. 262, the Blackhawks are shown flying the F7U Cutlass.
      A later issue of El Halcon Negro (issue No. 286) provided the Blackhawks with F-106 Delta Darts, or they might be Mirage III's.

Back to Blackhawk Model Page

All characters, pictures, and related indicia on these pages are the property of DC Comics. All text is ©1998-2001 Dan Thompson, except where otherwise noted. This homepage is not intended to infringe on the copyright of DC Comics to its characters, but was created out of gratitude to all the wonderful writers, artists, and editors who created the Blackhawks.