Air Power Series>1:48 die-cast display model>P-40>HA9204

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 1940 Charles (Chuck) Older was assigned to VMF-1. In July 1941 he resigned the Marines and joined the AVG. The 3 AVG squadrons were “Adam and Eve”, “Panda Bear” and “Hell’s Angels” to which Older was assigned. In December 1941 Older scored 5 victories over Rangoon, Burma. Older became a double Ace with the AVG and later added 8 more victories. Older fought in Korea and when he retired became a judge who presided over the Charles Manson case

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