History

The Curtiss P-40N was the final version of the P-40 Tomahawk, Kittyhawy and Warhawk fighter series that flew with most allied air forces during World War II.

Over 14,000 had been made when production ended in November 1944.

The Curtiss P-40 was the final version of a long line of Curtiss Hawk fighters produced from the 1920s.

After the prototype flew in October 1938 they began entering service in April 1940.

Although outclassed by later American fighters like the P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51 Mustang fighters, the P-40 was a rugged and effective ground attack fighter. Over 5200 P-40Ns were produced.

A major P-40 operator was the Royal Australian Air Force which flew most versions of the P-40 from 1942 to the end of the war.

This model represents a P-40N, A29-572, flown by 78 Squadron, RAAF, at Noemfoor Island in 1944.

Hobby Boss 1:72 kit with Tally Ho decals completed by Leigh Edmonds in January 2008.

Work Bench Notes

Data

MODEL: Curtiss P-40N (HU-P, 78 Sqd, RAAF, 1944)

ROLE: Fighter

TIME PERIOD: 1943-1949

ENGINES: Allison V1700 V-12 piston engine of 1014kW

WING SPAN: 11.36m

LENGTH: 10.16m

MAXIMUM TAKE OFF WEIGHT: 3511kg

MAXIMUM SPEED: 563km/h

RANGE: 1738km

CREW: 1

ARMAMENT: six 12.7mm machine guns and up to 318kg of disposable stores

SCALE: 1/72

KIT:

Recently added to the Collection