Whether it was the Tomahawk, Warhawk, or Kittyhawk, the Curtiss P-40, in all its many variations, was a successful and versatile fighter aircraft during the first half of World War II. When you look at a P-40, you cannot help but simply assume that this is a lethal machine and is best known for its snarling shark's teeth that were first painted on the nose by the Flying Tigers during WW II.

Unfortunately, the P-40 was nearly obsolete by the time World War II began. Its immediate predecessor, the P-36 (designed in the mid 1930’s) was well advanced for its day. It was a radial engine powered monoplane, boasting a stressed skin construction and retractable landing gear. However, it was the liquid cooled version that would prove to be successful for Curtiss when fighting against the Japanese during the attack on Pearl Harbor and the invasion of the Philippines in December 1941. The Flying Tigers also flew P-40’s over China in the early part of 1942.

This is a representation of the aircraft flown by Lieutenant Robert H. Vaught, a well know pilot who completed his career with a total of 5 air victories. I used Hasegawa’s 1/48 P-40E Warhawk to create this excellent looking replica.