The Curtiss P-40
in Forca Aerea Brasileira Service
The Força Aérea Brasileira took delivery of a total of eighty-seven P-40s; six P-40E-1s, thirty-one
P-40Ks, nine P-40Ms, and 41 P-40Ns. All were retained in Brazil for national defense and convoy escort.
The P-40 continued on in FAB service until 1954.
Vicious Biter
Here's the caption from the reverse of this ACME news photo which
shows one of the six P-40E-1s delivered to Brazil in April of 1942.
VICIOUS BITER
Somewhere in Brazil -- Corp. Arnold Howitt, of the U.S. Army 'feels' the teeth of a P-40 fighter plane
as Brazilian Air Corps Sgt. Abelar de Costa Pitanga removes the cowling of the BAF plane. Jointly built
and operated by the U.S. and Brazil, the giant air base is a take-off and landing point for war planes
winging to all fronts over-seas. For military reasons, the location of the aerial crossroads must be kept secret.
Project 914 Archives -
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Os primeiros falcãoes
A few more shots showing some of the first group of six P-40E-1s delivered to the FAB.
Project 914 Archives
From: 'P-40 Warhawk in Action No.205 by Richard S. Dann' (Jose Alvarenga via Mario Serelle) -
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Project 914 Archives -
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Falcão Caído
This P-40E-1 suffered an oopsie at Pici Field, Fortaleza, Brazil in 1943.
TOK de HISTÓRIA -
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Long-Tailed Hawks
An unidentified pilot with a FAB P-40K.
Project 914 Archives -
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Two of the thirty-one P-40Ks delivered to the FAB cruise along in beautiful Brazilian skies.
It appears that the ship nearest the camera may have only two guns installed in the port wing.
Museu Aeroespacial -
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P-40K #48 was photographed at FAB Base Aérea do Galeão.
Original image from: Paulo Castro's Blog -
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P-40M 43-5651, one of nine P-40Ms supplied to Brazil.
San Diego Air & Space Museum (Ray Wagner Collection - from Larry Peterson) -
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A Baker's Dozen
Thirteen P-40E-1s and P-40Ks and/or Ms at Natal Air Base near Parnamirim, Brazil during May of 1943.
LIFE Photo Archives (Thomas Mcavoy photo) -
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LIFE Photo Archives (Thomas Mcavoy photo) -
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LIFE Photo Archives (Thomas Mcavoy photo) -
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LIFE Photo Archives (Thomas Mcavoy photo) -
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Flying Down to Rio
Seen on a test hop in Western New York skies, 44-47773 was one of 41 P-40Ns sent to Brazil.
Though the USAAF markings would eventually disappear, the overall silver paint would
remain, and this ship would receive the Forca Aerea Brasileira serial number 4089.
Project 914 Archives (Hans Groenhoff photo) -
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Os 33 do Pacífico
A pair of P-40Ns from the FAB 2nd Fighter Group on a training flight. This outfit, known as
'33 do Pacífico' was to have been sent to the Pacific, but was still in training when the war ended.
Poder Aéreo -
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