Curtiss P-40

The Curtiss P-40 was an USA fighter and ground attack aircraft of WWII that saw service during all  the war in almost all Allied theaters of operations. Designed as a modification of the previous P-36 with a radial engine, the P-40 performed a V-12 liquid cooled engine that offered much power. Despite this, the P-40 was soon outclassed by the Japanese Mitsubisshi Zero and the German Messerschmidt Bf 109, more manouverables and with better performances. But the P-40 demonstrated to be a good fighter when attacking at high speed and in medium and low altitudes. It was reliable and with a strong structure that tolerated high damage from enemy fire without being shoot down.These and other advantages made this aircraft kept in service till end of the war. A famous unit that flew P-40s and achieved a high kill-to-loss ratio was the AVG (American Volunteer Group) “Flying Tigers”, operating in China from few days after Pearl Harbour attack. Commanded by Claire Lee Chennault, its mission was defend China against Japanese forces. Developping new fight strategies (“dive-and-zoom” attacks) destroyed more than 300 enemy aircraft. P-40s Flying Tigers distinguished as they were painted with a large shark face on the front of the aircraft, giving them a fearful appearance…

AVG "Flying Tigers" P-40