Pictured above is the P-40 before it was dismantled and shipped to the Museum
| First flight | 14 October 1938 |
| Produced | 1939–1944 |
| Number built | 13,738 |
| Unit cost | US $44,892 in 1944 |
The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk is an all-metal fighter and ground attack aircraft that first flew in 1938.
Based on war-time victory claims, over 200 Allied fighter pilots from 7 different nations became aces flying the P-40, with at least 20 double aces mostly in the North Africa, China-Burma-India, Pacific and Russian Front theaters.
Flying Tigers (American Volunteer Group)
The Flying Tigers, known officially as the 1st American Volunteer Group (AVG), were a unit of the Chinese Air Force, recruited from U.S. aviators.
Compared to opposing Japanese fighters, the P-40’s strengths were that it was sturdy, well armed, faster in a dive and possessed an excellent rate of roll. While the P-40’s could not match the maneuverability of the Japanese Zero Naval fighter in slow, turning dogfights, at higher speeds the P-40’s were more than a match. AVG leader Claire Chenault trained his pilots to use the P-40’s particular performance advantages. The P-40 had a higher dive speed than any Japanese fighter aircraft of the early war years, The AVG was highly successful, and its feats were widely publicized by an active cadre of international journalists to boost sagging public morale at home. According to its official records, in just 6 1/2 months, the Flying Tigers destroyed 297 enemy aircraft for the loss of just four of its own in air-to-air combat.
Our P-40 is a “N” model with full dual controls. It is currently undergoing a complete restoration and is expected to fly early 2024. It will be painted in the colors of God Is My Co-pilot author and Group Ace Robert L Scott
Robert Lee Scott Jr. (12 April 1908 – 27 February 2006) was a brigadier general in the United State Air Force and a flying ace of Word War II, credited with shooting down 13 Japanese aircraft.
Scott is best known for his memoir, God is My Co-Pilot , about his exploits in World War II with the Flying Tigers and the United State Army Air Force in China and Burma. The book was adapted as a film of the same name, which was released in 1945.
Colonel Scott flew 388 combat missions in 925 hours from July 1942 to October 1943, shooting down 13 Japanese aircraft, and noted as one of America’s earliest flying aces of the war.
Sponsored by George Alarm Company Springfield, Illinois 217-525-1335