Air Power Series>1:48 die-cast display model>P-40>HA9203

General Background

The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was an all metal, single-engine, single-seat fighter and ground-attack aircraft that made its maiden flight in 1938. Since the P-40 was a modified P-36 Hawk it was developed quickly and entered service in record time. The USAAF referred to the aircraft as the Warhawk while the British Commonwealth and the Soviet Union called the B and C variants Tomahawk while the D and later variants were called Kittyhawk. By the end of production in 1944 approximately 18,000 aircraft were manufactured.

The Aircraft

In July 1941 Robert Tharp Smith (nickname Tadpole) resigned his USAAF commission to fly with the AVG (American Volunteer Group) known as the Flying Tigers. The Flying Tigers were divided into three squadrons with Smith’s 3rd Squadron named "Hell's Angels". R.T. Smith’s first victory came on December 23, 1941 flying P-40B #77 (AVG referred to the aircraft as P-40B). In 1942 Smith received P-40B #47 from the 2nd Squadron and by June 1942 had scored 8.7 victories. The AVG is credited with 299 air victories and 153 destroyed on the ground.

Specifications :

Manufacturer:	Curtiss - Wright Corporation
P-40 Produced All Variants:	17,738
Role:	Fighter, Ground-Attack
First Flight:	1938
Crew:	1.
Powerplant:	1 X Allison V-1710-33 1,040 hp
Maximum speed:	352 mph (566 k/h)
Crusing speed:	273 mph (439 km/h)
Rate of climb:	2,860 ft/min (14.5 m/s)
Ceiling:	32,400 ft (9,875 m)
Wingspan:	37 ft 4 in (11.38 m)
Length:	31 ft 8 in (9.66 m)
Height:	12 ft 4 in (3.76 m)
Empty weight:	5,590 lb (2,535 kg)
Maximum take-off weight:	7,600 lb (3,447 kg)
Armament:	2 X .50 cal (12.7 mm) 4 X 0.30 Browning Machine Guns