Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>P-40>HA5501
Curtiss P-40N flown by Wang Kuang Fu, 7th FS/3rd FG, Chinese Air Force, Laohokow, China, Jan 1945
General Background
The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk first flew in 1938 as a modification of the Curtiss P-36 Hawk.
Warhawk was the official U.S. designation while the name Tomahawk was used by the
British Commonwealth and Soviet forces for the P-40B and C and Kittyhawk for P-40Ds
and later variants. The P-40 was first used by British squadrons in North Africa and the
Middle East in 1941. The P-40 lacked a two-speed supercharger making them inferior
to German aircraft but was an adequate fighter in low altitude combat zones. Almost
12,000 P-40s were produced.
The Aircraft
Wang Kuang Fu learned to fly at the Claire Chennault CAF flying school and earned his
wings in 1939. It was June 24, 1944 while flying with the C.A.C.W.'s 3rd Fighter Group's
7th Fighter Squadron when he scored his first victory and went to scored 5.5 more
victories making Captain Wang an Ace. His P-40N aircraft White 663 was adorned with
Chinese characters that roughly spelled “Great Grandfather Command” referring to a
Chow Dynasty hero. This aircraft was damaged in 1944 and repaired but damaged
beyond repair in January 1945.
Specifications :
Crew: | 1. |
Powerplant: | Allison V-1710 of 1,150 hp. |
Maximum speed: | 362 mph. |
Crusing speed: | 235 mph. |
Ceiling: | 30,000 ft. |
Range: | 850 miles |
Wingspan: | 37 ft 4 in (11.37 m) |
Length: | 31 ft. 9 in. |
Height: | 12 ft 4 in (3.76 m) |
Weight: | 9,100 lbs. loaded |
Armament: | Six .50-cal. machine guns; 700 lbs. of bombs externally |