This P-40 was built as a Kittyhawk I for the RAF. She was purchased by the British Purchasing Commission
and did not fall under any Lend-Lease agreement and therefore did not receive a US Army serial number.
Although allocated the RAF serial AK753, she was eventually handed over to the Russians...
but I currently have no information concerning her operational service.

The aircraft was pulled out of Russia in the early 90s I believe. She was recovered from a crash site
although I'm not sure if the aircraft went down as a result of combat or not. Odds are that it was indeed
combat-related, but I hope to research this Hawk a bit more and find out for sure. Restoration work began
in 1996 I believe, and the aircraft's first post-restoration flight took place in July 1998. I've been
told that the gap between the spinner and the cowling is due to the installation of the Hamilton-Standard
prop... confirmation or correction on this point would be most welcome, as would be any other information.

The last owner I have on record for this Hawk was the late Gerald Beck of North Dakota.

More specific information about this airframe can be found on the following page...

P-40/AK753

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