Tomahawk Français

The first of 140 H81-C1s ordered by France, shown here in June of 1940. The French ships differed
from US Army P-40s in having French instruments and placards, reverse-movement throttles, other
French equipment, and additional minor details. None were delivered before France surrendered,
and the entire order was taken over by the British, who designated the aircraft Tomahawk I.


Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

Few of the H81-C1s were finished with French markings, and then only with the rudder stripes
as shown in the above photo. Though none were destined to wear the unique camouflage colors of
the Armée de l'air, Curtiss-Wright's marketing department retouched a photo of a US Army
P-40 to vaguely resemble what a P-40 in French colors might have looked like.


Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

P-40Fs of GC II/5 Groupe Lafayette

The following five photos were taken on January 9th, 1943 at Casablanca during a ceremony
which officially transferred these former 33rd Fighter Group P-40Fs to the Free French in
North Africa. This was just a formality, as the aircraft had actually been handed over to
the French the previous November, during the early stages of Operation Torch.

Of note in the first photo are the aircraft in the hangar, which include a Curtiss Hawk 75
and at least two Dewoitine D.520s, still wearing Vichy stripes. Also, although some accounts
describe this ceremony as having involved thirteen P-40s, only twelve are visible here.

Another point of interest is that at least four short-tailed Hawks were in this lineup,
numbers 6,8,9 and 11. The latter three can be identified in this photo, while number 6 is
just visible in the far background. Number 6 is also in the background of the next photo
but is not readily identifiable. It is, however, clearly visible in the last photo.

FSA/OWI collection, Library of Congress - Larger Image

Here we see Major-General James Doolittle and Major-General Carl Spaatz escorting
French Major-General Bergeret as he inspects the aircraft.

One of the short-tailed Hawks, number 6, is just visible in the background.


FSA/OWI collection, Library of Congress - Larger Image

These next two photos show one of the short-tailed Hawks, number 8. The USAAF serial number
for this P-40F is possibly 41-14319. Of note is the overpainting of USAAF markings, especially
the US flag; the star field is still just visible forward of the indian head emblem, as are
some of the upper stripes which can be seen intermingling with the feathers in the head-dress.

Here is the accompanying caption for the following photo:

Lieutenant Hal C. Tunnell of Knoxville, Tennessee, left, introducing the
Reverend R. P. Bougerol, Chaplain of the Lafayette Escadrille, to Lieutenant
J. J. Ketcher of Fresno, California, full-blooded Cherokee Indian. The Indian
head and Escadrille insignia are seen on the fuselage of the P-40.


FSA/OWI collection, Library of Congress - Larger Image

A closer look at the indian head emblem...

And a color shot of the same scene...


National Archives and Records Administration - Larger Image


From: 'P-40 Warhawk in World War II Color' by Jeff Ethell - Larger Image

This last photo shows USAAF pilots 'officially' handing over the P-40s to their French counterparts.
Number 6, one of the four short-tailed Hawks, is the third aircraft from the camera in this photo.


National Archives and Records Administration - Larger Image

Some close-crops...


National Archives and Records Administration


National Archives and Records Administration - Larger Image


National Archives and Records Administration - Larger Image

This next photo shows General Henri Giraud next to a P-40 of GC II/5 during March of 1943.

The news tag from the reverse of the photo reads:

Planes of Lafayette Escadrille Back Giraud

General Henri Giraud, French High Commissioner in North Africa, stands before a
plane as he visited the French Lafayette Escadrille, at an Allied airfield in
the area. The flying unit, composed of many French aviators who fought the Germans
at the beginning of the war, were chafing at the bit. Some American P-40 fighter
planes were found and the famed unit was put back into the fight alongside
their American and British comrades.

Associated Press Photo
3/20/43


Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

P-40F #8, the same ship shown above in handover photos above, is seen here at
an unknown (to your webmaster) airfield in North Africa in 1943.


San Diego Air and Space Museum (Ray Wagner Collection) - Larger Image

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