Curtiss P-40 Warhawk

The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was introduced in the late 1930s as a single-engine fighter. Though not as advanced as some contemporaries, it proved rugged and adaptable. The aircraft served in multiple theaters of World War II.

Curtiss P-40N Kittyhawk (Warhawk) © Bidgee

Overview

Curtiss United States ICAO: P40 1939–1944 Active $45,000 (1944)

Curtiss P-40 Warhawk — single-engine fighter aircraftThe P-40 first flew in 1938 and entered service in 1939. It featured a streamlined monoplane design with retractable landing gear. Early variants were widely exported and used by Allied forces.A liquid-cooled Allison piston engine producing approximately 1,150 horsepower powered the Warhawk. Maximum speed approached 310 knots (574 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight exceeded 8,000 pounds (3,629 kg).The P-40 gained fame with units such as the Flying Tigers in China. While later surpassed by newer fighters, it remained effective in ground-attack and escort roles. The aircraft symbolizes early Allied air resistance.

Live Fleet Activity (P40)

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Specifications

Units
Engine
1 × Allison V-1710-39
Engine type
Piston
Power
1,240 hp · 925 kW
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
1
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
33 ft 4 in  ·  10.15 m
Tail height
12 ft 4 in  ·  3.77 m
Fuselage diameter
3 ft 3 in  ·  1.00 m
Wing span
37 ft 3 in  ·  11.36 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
9,200 lb  ·  4,150 kg
Max landing weight
8,500 lb  ·  3,850 kg
Max payload
2,000 lb  ·  900 kg
Fuel capacity
160 gal · 600 L · 400 kg (AvGas)
Max cruise speed
318 kt  ·  366 mph  ·  589 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
83 kt  ·  96 mph  ·  154 km/h
Range
622 nm  ·  720 mi  ·  1,150 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
29,000 ft  ·  8,800 m
Rate of climb
2,100 ft/min  ·  11 m/s
Takeoff distance
—
Landing distance
—
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Curtiss P-40C Warhawk ‘160/10AB’

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Operational Context

On October 14, 1938, the aircraft prototype designated as XP-40 operated by Captain Edward Elliot took to the air for the first time. The aircraft went through several developments and was produced in different variants.

The P-40E version is a single-seat aircraft with an exterior length of 9.67 meters, an exterior height of 3 meters, and a fuselage diameter of 1 meter. It has a tail height of 3.77 meters and a wheelbase of 5.67 meters. The wingspan is 11.36 meters and the wing area is 21.9 square meters. It has an empty weight of 2,686 kg, a gross weight of 3,862 kg, a maximum takeoff weight of 4,173 kg, and a maximum payload of 910 kg. The fuel tank capacity is 157 US gal.

The Warhawk is a single-engine aircraft powered by an Allison V-1710-39 piston. It is a V-12 supercharged four-stroke liquid-cooled piston engine with two inlet and two exhaust valves per cylinder, a centrifugal-type supercharger, a Stromberg fuel system, a pressure fed oil system, a liquid-cooled air-cooling system, a compact external spur reduction gearbox, and an electric inertia starter.

The engine produces a maximum thrust of 1,240 horsepower and drives a three-bladed Curtis-Wright electric constant-speed propeller. The aircraft has a maximum speed of 290 knots at 15,000 feet and a cruise speed of 268 knots. The travel range is 622 nautical miles at seventy percent power. It can fly up to 29,100 feet and can climb at a rate of 2,100 feet per minute.

The aircraft is loaded with six 12.70 mm M2 Browning machine guns with 235 rounds per gun located in the wings. It is also equipped with 110 to 450 kg of bombs to a total of 910 kg on three hardpoints where one is under the fuselage and two under the wings.