The Curtiss Kittyhawk IA was the British name given to the Curtiss P-40E. It was an almost complete redesign of the P-40 based on the lessons learned in the first year of World War 2. The nose was redesigned for a more powerful engine and armament improved to six .50 cal machine guns in the wings. Deliveries began in August 1941. A total of 2,300 P-40Es were manufactured.

The Curtiss P-40E was a major production version of the P-40 with improvements that included a redesigned nose with the radiator enlarged and moved forward and the air intake relocated, a revised cockpit canopy to improve the pilot’s vision and armament increased.

They served in all theatres of the war where their poor high attitude performance was not a major problem.

Their ability to carry bombs and the power of their six machine guns also made them a good ground attack aircraft.

This model represents the Kittyhawk IA flown by Squadron Leader Richard Cresswell, 77 Squadron RAAF in New Guinea in 1942.

Data: single-seat fighter. Engines one Allison V-1710-39 V-12 liquid-cooled piston of 920kW. Wing span 11.37m. Length 9.67m. Gross weight 83862kg. Maximum speed 538km/h. Range 1152km. Armament six 12.7mm machine guns and up to 910kg of underwing weapons. Crew 1.

Academy 1/72 kit completed by Steve Pulbrook in 2012.