The Curtiss P-40B was the first version of the P-40 manufactured for the United States Army Air Corps. They were a slightly improved version of the original P-40 and began entering service in 1941.

The prototype P-40 was a modification of a the earlier Curtiss P-36 and first flew in October 1938.

In April 1939 the United States Army Air Corps ordered 524 P-40s and the final 324 aircraft of that order were completed as the slightly improved P-40B which had additional armour, self-sealing tanks and improved armament including bomb shackles.

During the Japanese attach on Pearl Harbour 72 P-40s were destroyed or damaged on the ground.

Five P-40s launched during the attack. Two were shot down before gaining altitude whilst the remaining three flew seven sorties claiming seven or eight Japanese dive bombers.

This model represents a P-40B believed to be flying with the 15th Pursuit Group during the attack on Pearl Hoarbour on 7 December 1941.

Hobbyboss 1/72 kit completed by Steve Pulbrook in 2018