Curtiss P-40 Warhawk

Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
Country	USA
Role	Fighter and ground attack aircraft
First fly	14 October 1938
Built	13738

The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was an American single-engine, single-seat, all-metal fighter and ground attack aircraft that first flew in 1938. The P-40 design was a modification of the previous Curtiss P-36 Hawk which reduced development time and enabled a rapid entry into production and operational service. The Warhawk was used by the air forces of 28 nations, including those of most Allied powers during World War II, and remained in front line service until the end of the war. It was the third most-produced American fighter, after the P-51 and P-47; by November 1944, when production of the P-40 ceased, 13,738 had been built, all at Curtiss-Wright Corporation’s main production facilities at Buffalo, New York.

Source: Curtiss P-40 Warhawk on Wikipedia

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Photographer	Unknow
Localisation	Unknow
Photos	30

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Curtiss P-40C Warhawk Walk Around
Photographer	Vladimir Yakubov
Localisation	Flying Heritage Collection
Photos	54

Curtiss P-40C Warhawk

Curtiss P-40 Warhawk Walk Around
Photographer	Bill Maloney
Localisation	American Air Power Museum
Photos	30

Curtiss P-40 Warhawk

Curtiss P-40-E Kittyhawk Walk Around
Photographer	Cees Hendriks
Localisation	Unknow
Photos	30

Curtiss-Wright P-40N Kittyhawk Walk Around
Photographer	John Shupek
Localisation	Unknow
Photos	12

The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was an American single-engine, single-seat, all-metal fighter and ground-attack aircraft that saw extensive use by Allied powers during World War II. Though often overshadowed by faster contemporaries, the P-40 was a robust, reliable, and crucial aircraft, particularly in the early years of the conflict.

Design and Characteristics

Role: Fighter and Ground-Attack. It was the third-most produced American fighter of World War II.
Engine: It was powered by the **Allison V-1710 V-12 liquid-cooled engine**. A lack of a high-altitude, two-stage supercharger in the most numerous early variants limited the P-40’s performance above 15,000 feet.
Armament: Armament varied, but typical P-40s were armed with **Six .50 caliber (12.7 mm) Browning machine guns** mounted in the wings. It could also carry a bomb, making it an effective fighter-bomber.
Strengths: The P-40 was noted for its **excellent diving speed**, **tough construction**, and **heavy armor plating**, making it highly survivable in combat and an ideal platform for ground attack.
Weaknesses: Its primary disadvantage was its **poor performance at high altitudes** and its relatively **low climb rate**.

Operational History

The P-40 served in nearly every theatre of the war under various names and with numerous air forces:

The Pacific and China: The Warhawk is most famously associated with the **Flying Tigers** (American Volunteer Group) in China, where its iconic shark-mouth nose art became a symbol of Allied air power. Its ruggedness and good low-to-medium altitude performance made it effective against Japanese aircraft.
North Africa: Under British and Commonwealth service, it was known as the **Tomahawk** (early variants) and **Kittyhawk** (later variants). It was vital in North Africa, where the majority of air combat occurred at lower altitudes where the P-40 was competitive.
Soviet Union: The P-40 was supplied to the Soviet Union through the Lend-Lease Act, where it was used as a frontline fighter, primarily for ground attack and air superiority at low altitudes.

The P-40 Warhawk was instrumental in keeping Allied air forces competitive in the early stages of World War II until more advanced fighters became widely available.