The P-40 Warhawk is a single-engine single-seat low wing cantilever monoplane fighter/bomber. It was powered by the Allison V-1710 engine but lacked a two-speed supercharger which gave it a poor performance at high altitude. At low and medium altitudes it was fast and agile, reaching speeds of up to 366mph, and it could out-turn most enemy aircraft. It was armed with two rifle calibre nose mounted machine guns and two .303 Browning in each wing. Later models had two .50 Browning in each wing and no nose guns. Underwing pylons were fitted for two 250lb or two 500lb bombs, later versions up to six bombs.

The RAF ordered the P-40 in 1940 and received their first in early 1941. The RAF named the P-40 Tomahawk I and used the type mainly in the North Africa theatre gradually replacing the Hawker Hurricane. In all 18 RAF squadrons, 3 South African, 4 Royal Canadian and 2 Royal Australian Air Force squadrons were equipped with the type serving in North Africa. Tomahawks were also used in the Far East and Pacific mainly by RAAF squadrons. The P-40s ability to cope with harsh conditions in all climates made it ideal for tropical use. It was a robust aircraft which could take much punishment and was easy to maintain.

It was not used in the European theatre due to its poor performance at high altitude although it was in use for a short time as a low-level reconnaissance with one Canadian squadron using it for fighter role. All P-40 Squadrons in the UK were replaced with Mustangs or Spitfires with the P-40 Squadrons being sent to North Africa.

In 1942 the Tomahawk was relegated to secondary use with squadrons re-equipping with the P-40D Kittyhawk I and subsequent versions. The P-40F became the Kittyhawk II powered by the Packard Merlin engine and 600 P-40M Kittyhawk III from early 1943 being used as fighter-bombers.

The Tomahawks and Kittyhawks bore the brunt of the Luftwaffe onslaught in North Africa but faired well against the Bf109’s and Italian fighters. From May 1942 the Kittyhawk was used as a fighter bomber armed with six 250lb bombs. They were used for close support missions and bomber escort missions resulting in high losses as they had to fly slow at low altitude being picked off by prowling Bf109’s.

No.112 Squadron RAF in North Africa was one of the first to use the Kittyhawk I and the first RAF squadron to display the now famous ‘Shark Mouth’ on the front of the cowling in 1941 after encountering Bf110’s with a similar design. Many P-40 units adapted the marking.

The P-40 Kittyhawk, although a good aircraft, was being superseded by newer aircraft and being outclassed by better Luftwaffe planes. The type was being replaced by Mustangs and Spitfire variants, notably the Mk.V ‘Trop’, by mid 1943 and by spring of 1944 many of the Kittyhawks had been replaced. The last squadrons of Kittyhawks in Italy were removed from frontline duties in summer of 1944 marking the end of its RAF service.

There are many P-40 surviving aircraft including at least 34 airworthy examples around the World. The majority are in America with five in Australia, one in New Zealand and three in the UK as well as France, Belgium and Russia.

In the UK there is one with the fighter collection at IWM, Duxford and one in a private collection at Hangar 11, North Weald.