The Pacific was huge, created a need for longer range aircraft. Many of the islands are far apart, so every 100 miles extra range helps a lot. Enemy airfields are few. Even locations for potential enemy airfields are limited.
Yet you had the Hawk-75,long range, not meant for island cruising, just standard pursuit fighter, 825 miles
Been curious about this for some years. You have some sources to recommend on the Hawk in the BoF, or can provide more data?
If you can read French, this is the best
and for some period info on performance
http://www.gc2-4.com/NSGAcouv.htm
http://www.gc2-4.com/NMACcouv.htm
I posted some info before, I'll see if I can dig it out.
But pretty much top pilots, low losses, high kill counts, with the caveat of overclaiming.
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