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On April 26, 1939, the Army ordered 524 production aircraft under the designation P-40. However only 200 would be
delivered before the USAAC deferred delivery of the rest in September of 1940 so that Curtiss could fill a French
order for 140 H81As. Once production of USAAC aircraft resumed, the remaining 324 aircraft from the
initial order of 524 were built as P-40Bs and P-40Cs.

The P-40 was very similar to the XP-40 in its final configuration, although there were a number of small aesthetic
differences, the most notable of which was the shape of the rear quarter windows. The XP-40 retained the P-36-style
windows throughout its lifetime while production aircraft had the rear portion of the window opening rounded off.
Another notable difference was the clean profile of the underside of the fuselage near the tail wheel on production
aircraft; the XP-40 retained the aerodynamic fairings fore and aft of its bulged tail wheel doors... another feature
betraying the aircraft's direct lineage to the P-36.

The most comprehensive online written text concerning the P-40 is a series of articles by Joe Baugher.
You can see his 'P-40' page HERE...

#2

These three photos, dated April 22nd, 1940, show P-40-CU 39-157, the second production P-40.
It was one of very few to be delivered to the USAAC unpainted and one of three ships
used as service test models, as there were no YP-40s built.


Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

Hatching Hawks

These two photos show P-40s under construction at Curtiss Plant #1 in Buffalo, NY.


Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

Jumped From the Nest

Three early P-40s shortly after completion at the Buffalo Airport in Cheektowaga, NY,
April or May, 1940. The two unpainted ships, along with a third, were used for service testing.


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Here's a rear view of the painted Hawk shown in the above photo.


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image

Hawks Aloft

A two-ship of P-40s, photographed by the legendary Rudy Arnold.


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image

And a third Hawk tags along...


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image

A closer look at the two ships closest to the camera...


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image

Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image

A single P-40 during a test flight over Western New York in 1940.


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image

Back to 'P-40 Variants'