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Curtiss P-40 Warhawk

Curtiss-Wright · Fighter / Attack / Fighter / Ground Attack · USA · WWII (1939–1945)

Curtiss P-40 Warhawk — Fighter / Attack / Fighter / Ground Attack
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The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was the principal U.S. Army Air Corps front-line fighter at the start of World War II. Curtiss-Wright built 13,738 P-40s between 1939 and November 1944 — the third-most-produced American fighter of the war after the P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51 Mustang. The P-40 served with U.S., British (as Tomahawk and Kittyhawk), Soviet, Chinese, Australian, and Free French forces; the famous American Volunteer Group "Flying Tigers" flew P-40Bs over China in 1941-1942 with their distinctive shark-mouth nose art.

The P-40 was a refinement of the earlier Curtiss P-36 Hawk, replacing its radial engine with the Allison V-1710 liquid-cooled inline V-12 (1,150-1,360 hp depending on variant). The configuration gave the aircraft a streamlined nose at the cost of single-stage supercharging that limited the P-40's high-altitude performance. Below 15,000 ft the P-40 was competitive with contemporary German Bf 109s and Japanese Zeros; above 20,000 ft it was outclassed by both. Maximum speed about 360 mph (P-40N variant). Armament: typically 6× 0.50-in M2 Browning machine guns plus underwing bombs or drop tanks.

Combat use was extensive but consequential rather than decisive. The Flying Tigers' P-40Bs scored about 296 confirmed Japanese aerial victories before Pearl Harbor and continued operations as the U.S. Army's 23rd Fighter Group. RAF Tomahawk and Kittyhawk units flew the type extensively in North Africa and the Mediterranean. Soviet P-40s served in Lend-Lease deliveries totalling 2,097 airframes. The P-40 was outclassed for air-superiority missions by 1943 but remained valuable for ground attack and as a low-altitude fighter where its rugged construction and good handling made it a forgiving combat aircraft.

Production ended in November 1944 after 13,738 airframes — Curtiss switched its lines to the P-40N variant exclusively in mid-1943 and the company never produced a successful follow-on fighter. About 30 P-40 airframes survive in flying condition today, mostly with American and European warbird collections. Static-display airframes are at the National Air and Space Museum, the National Naval Aviation Museum, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, and dozens of others worldwide.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was the U.S. Army's main fighter at the start of World War II. Most P-40 pilots remember it for its shark-mouth paint job — open jaws and teeth painted on the front of the airplane. The Flying Tigers (American pilots flying P-40s in China before WWII) made the shark-mouth famous.

The P-40 is about 32 feet long — smaller than a school bus. One big Allison V-1710 engine in the nose, six .50-caliber machine guns in the wings. Top speed about 360 mph. The P-40 wasn't the fastest or most-agile fighter — but it was tough, easy to fly, and could be built quickly.

About 13,738 P-40s were built between 1939 and 1944 — more than most WWII American fighters. They served the U.S., Britain (called "Tomahawk" and "Kittyhawk"), Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the Soviet Union, China, and many other Allied air forces. P-40s fought everywhere — North Africa, the Mediterranean, the Soviet Union, China, and the Pacific.

By 1943, the P-40 was outclassed by newer Allied fighters (P-51 Mustang, P-47 Thunderbolt) and Japanese fighters (Zero). P-40s were moved to less-dangerous fronts and training. Today about 60 P-40s exist worldwide, and about 25 still fly at airshows. The shark-mouth Flying Tigers paint scheme remains one of the most-recognized military aircraft markings ever.

Fun Facts

  • The P-40 Warhawk's shark-mouth paint job made it one of the most-recognized fighters of WWII.
  • About 13,738 P-40s were built between 1939 and 1944.
  • The Flying Tigers (American pilots in China) made the shark-mouth paint famous.
  • The P-40 was the U.S. Army's main fighter at the start of WWII.
  • By 1943 the P-40 was outclassed and moved to less-dangerous fronts.
  • P-40s served many Allied air forces — U.S., UK, Australia, Canada, Russia, China, and more.
  • About 60 P-40s exist worldwide; 25 still fly at airshows today.

Kids’ Questions

Who were the Flying Tigers?

The Flying Tigers were American pilots who volunteered to fly for China against the Japanese — before the U.S. officially joined World War II. The unit was officially called the American Volunteer Group (AVG), and they flew P-40 Warhawks painted with their famous shark-mouth design. The Flying Tigers fought from 1941 to mid-1942, defeating about 297 Japanese aircraft for the loss of only 73 pilots. After Pearl Harbor (December 1941), the U.S. officially joined the war, and the Flying Tigers were folded into the U.S. Army Air Forces. Their shark-mouth paint scheme has been copied by countless other military units since.

Why was the P-40 used so much if it wasn't the best?

In late 1939, the U.S. needed fighters fast — Hitler had just invaded Poland, and American factories had to ramp up production. The P-40 was Curtiss's design that could be built quickly. It wasn't the most advanced, but it was simple, reliable, and the factory could roll out 100+ per month. By the time the U.S. entered WWII in late 1941, P-40s were the only American fighter available in large numbers. They had to do everything until better fighters (P-51 Mustang, P-47 Thunderbolt) could arrive in 1943. So the P-40 wasn't America's best fighter — it was America's available fighter, which mattered just as much.

Variants

P-40B / P-40C (Tomahawk)
Early production. Three .30-cal nose guns + four .30-cal wing guns. Flying Tigers in China; RAF in North Africa. About 200 + 193 built.
P-40E / P-40K / P-40M / P-40N (Kittyhawk / Warhawk)
Mid-war production. Six .50-cal wing guns, V-1710-39 to V-1710-81 engines. About 11,000 of these mid-late variants built. P-40N is the most-produced sub-variant.
P-40F / P-40L (Merlin-engined)
Packard-built Rolls-Royce Merlin V-1650-1 engine. Better high-altitude performance. About 1,300 + 700 built.

Notable Operators

U.S. Army Air Forces
Largest user. About 6,000 P-40s flew with USAAF squadrons in North Africa, Italy, Pacific, Aleutians, and CBI theatres 1940-1945.
Royal Air Force / Commonwealth air forces
About 3,000 P-40s as Tomahawk and Kittyhawk variants. Heavy use in North Africa and Mediterranean. Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa all operated Kittyhawk fleets.
Soviet Air Force
2,097 P-40s delivered under Lend-Lease 1941-1945. Used in air-defence and ground-attack roles on the Eastern Front.
Republic of China Air Force / American Volunteer Group
The Flying Tigers (AVG) flew P-40Bs from December 1941. AVG dissolved July 1942; absorbed into USAAF 23rd Fighter Group.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Flying Tigers' aircraft?

The Curtiss P-40B Tomahawk. The American Volunteer Group flew about 100 P-40Bs over China and Burma between December 1941 and July 1942 with the iconic shark-mouth nose art. The unit scored about 296 confirmed Japanese aerial victories before being absorbed into the U.S. Army Air Forces 23rd Fighter Group.

Why was the P-40 outclassed above 20,000 ft?

The Allison V-1710 engine had only single-stage supercharging — adequate at low altitude but losing power rapidly above 15,000 ft. Contemporary German Bf 109s and Japanese Zero fighters had two-stage or two-speed superchargers (or smaller engines optimised for higher altitudes) and could outclimb and outturn the P-40 at altitude. The Merlin-engined P-40F variant partly addressed this but never matched contemporary high-altitude fighters.

How many P-40s were built?

13,738 airframes between 1939 and November 1944 — the third-most-produced American fighter of WWII after the P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51 Mustang. Curtiss closed the line in 1944 without a successor in production.

Are any P-40s still flying?

Yes — about 30 airworthy P-40s exist in 2026, mostly with American and European warbird collectors. Notable airshow regulars include Paul Allen's Flying Heritage Collection and the Commemorative Air Force airframes.

Sources

See Also