Although the P-36A fighter was considered modern at the time of its introduction in 1938, the USAAF noted that its armament of a single 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm Browning MG was inadequate even before it entered service. As a result, attempts were made to improve the P-36's firepower. This led to the creation of the P-36C variant. Compared to the base version, the P-36C featured an additional pair of .30 Browning MGs on its wings. Although the P-36C offered considerable improvement in terms of firepower, the type was considered obsolete before the Pacific War began in 1941. Because of this, only 30 P-36Cs were built before production stopped that year, and it was relegated to training roles.

Introduced in Update 1.31, the P-36C retains the good agility and decent speed of its predecessor, the P-36A, featuring excellent turning capabilities over its contemporaries such as the Bf 109 or the I-16. With an additional pair of 7.62 mm Browning MGs in the wings, the P-36C offers noticeable improvement in terms of firepower against lightly-clad biplanes and early monoplanes. However, as the P-36C starts to face more advanced fighters, these armaments can prove insufficient at dealing damage against more durable airframes, and the P-36C's lack of protection makes it highly vulnerable against them.