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 - Larger Image

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) - Larger Image


Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

Falcão Caído

This P-40E-1 suffered an oopsie at Pici Field, Fortaleza, Brazil in 1943.


TOK de HISTÓRIA - Larger Image

Long-Tailed Hawks

An unidentified pilot with a FAB P-40K.


Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

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 - Larger Image

P-40M 43-5651, one of nine P-40Ms supplied to Brazil.


San Diego Air & Space Museum (Ray Wagner Collection - from Larry Peterson) - Larger Image

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) - Larger Image


LIFE Photo Archives (Thomas Mcavoy photo) - Larger Image


LIFE Photo Archives (Thomas Mcavoy photo) - Larger Image


LIFE Photo Archives (Thomas Mcavoy photo) - Larger Image

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) - Larger Image

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 - Larger Image

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