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Home > Fact Sheets > Curtiss P-40
CURTISS P-40
The P-40, developed from the P-36, was America's foremost fighter in service when World War II began. P-40s engaged Japanese aircraft during the attack on Pearl Harbor and the invasion of the Philippines in December 1941. They also were flown in China early in 1942 by the famed Flying Tigers and in North Africa in 1943 by the first AAF all-black unit, the 99th Fighter Squadron.
The P-40 served in numerous combat areas -- the Aleutian Islands, Italy, the Middle East, the Far East, the Southwest Pacific and some were sent to Russia. Though often outclassed by its adversaries in speed, maneuverability and rate of climb, the P-40 earned a reputation in battle for extreme ruggedness. At the end of the P-40's brilliant career, more than 14,000 had been produced for service in the air forces of 28 nations, of which 2,320 were of the E series.
The National Museum of the United States Air Force has a P-40E on display in its Air Power Gallery.
| Type |
Number built/
converted |
Remarks |
| XP-40 |
1 (cv) |
10th P-36A with engine change |
| P-40 |
200 |
Improved XP-40; 524 ordered |
| P-40A |
0 |
Designation not assigned |
| P-40B |
131 |
Improved P-40; arm. pl.; two .30-cal. mgs. |
| P-40C |
193 |
Improved P-40B; self-sealing fuel tanks |
| P-40D |
22 |
Modified fuselage; four .50-cal. mgs. |
| P-40E |
2,320 |
Improved P-40D; six .50-cal. mgs. |
| XP-40F |
1 (cv) |
P-40D with Rolls-Royce engine |
| YP-40F |
1 (cv) |
Mod. of third P-40F built |
| P-40F |
1,311 |
Improved P-40E; engine change |
| P-40G |
1 (cv) |
Mod. of 66th P-40; E wings |
| P-40H |
0 |
Designation not assigned |
| P-40J |
0 |
Improved P-40E with turbo (canceled) |
| XP-40K |
1 (cv) |
P-40K-10 with V-1650 engine |
| P-40K |
1,300 |
Improved P-40E with engine change |
| P-40L |
700 |
Improved P-40F |
| P-40M |
600 |
Improved P-40K-20 |
| P-40N-1-15 |
1,977 |
Improved P-40E; four .50-cal. mgs. |
| P-40N-20-35 |
3,022 |
Improved P-40N-1-15; engine change |
| P-40N-40-CU |
220 |
Last production P-40; 9,000 canceled |
| P-40P |
0 |
Designation not assigned |
| XP-40Q |
1 |
Modified P-40N; four-blade propeller |
| P-40R |
300 (cv) |
Modified F and L models; engine change |
TECHNICAL NOTES (P-40E):
Armament: Six .50-cal. machine guns; 700 lbs. of bombs externally
Engine: Allison V-1710 of 1,150 hp
Maximum speed: 362 mph
Cruising speed: 235 mph
Range: 850 miles
Service ceiling: 30,000 ft.
Span: 37 ft. 4 in.
Length: 31 ft. 9 in.
Height: 12 ft. 4 in.
Weight: 9,100 lbs. loaded
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