The Curtiss P-40 was arguably the most important US Army Air Force aircraft of the Second World War.
Although its performance was surpassed by other US fighters, such as the P-38 Lightning, P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51 Mustang, it was available when and where it was needed, holding ground against more capable enemies and helping to turn the tide of the war. And then, after it had been supplanted by other types in the fighter and bomber escort roles, it soldiered on as a capable ground attack and troop support aircraft.
The P-40 achieved the first US aerial victories of the war during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour and invasion of the Philippines. It also famously saw action over China and Burma with the American Volunteer Group (AVG) of the Republic of China Air Force. Before that, however, the P-40 saw action in the Middle East and North Africa with the British and Commonwealth air forces.
It almost certainly saw combat with more nations than any other type, serving with the air forces of the US, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, France, China and the USSR.
The P-40 also fought in every theatre of the war;
- Northern and Central Pacific (Alaska, Aleutian Islands and Hawaii)
- South and South-West Pacific (Philippines, Australia, New Guinea,
Dutch East Indies and Solomon Islands) - CBI (China, Burma and India)
- Britain and Western Europe
- The Middle East, North Africa and Italy
- Russia
At 13,738 aircraft, the Curtis P-40 was the fourth most produced US aircraft of World War 2, behind only the P-51 Mustang (15017), P-47 Thunderbolt (15,631) and B-24 Liberator (18,482).
The Warbirds Aviation Modelling Group congratulates the Australian Model Expo on 40 years of excellence and wishes them a Happy P-40th!
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