Curtiss Tomahawk Mk I The Curtiss Tomahawk was a version of the Curtiss P-40 that was ordered by the French Government. After the fall of France these aircraft were delivered to Britain. They were unsuitable for combat in Europe so most where sent North Africa where they were successful.

The Tomahawk was not considered suitable for combat in European theatres as it had been optimised for combat below 15,000 feet whereas combat was most often at up to 30,000 ft over Britain.

Consequently some were used as trainers and in the Army co-operation role. Most were sent to North Africa where combat was usually at lower altitudes so Tomahawks were fairly well matched against the German and Italian fighters they fought against there.

They replaced Hawker Hurricanes and eventually, 27 Squadrons were equipped with these early model Tomahaws until they were replaed by Curtiss Kittyhawks from 1942.

This model represents a Tomahawk I of 349 (Belgian) Squadron, RAF, at Lagos, Nigeria, in 1943.

Trumpeter 1/72 kit completed by Steve Pulbrook in 2016.