The P-40 was the best known Curtiss-Wright designed airplane of the Second World War. It was also one of the most controversial fighters, vilified by many as being too slow, lacking in maneuverability, having too low a climbing rate, and being largely obsolescent by contemporary standards even before it went into production. The inadequacies of the P-40 were even the subject of a Congressional investigation after the War ended.

While these criticisms were certainly valid, it is also true that the P-40 served its country well, especially in China and Burma, during the opening phase of the War in the Pacific when little else was available to the US Army Air Corps. Along with the P-39 Airacobra, the P-40 was the only American fighter available in quantity to confront the Japanese advance until more modern aircraft could be delivered to frontline squadrons.

This particular 1:72 scale replica of a USAAF Curtiss P-40E Warhawk fighter, nicknamed "Texas Longhorn", was piloted by John Landers, who was attached to the 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, then deployed to Port Moresby, New Guinea, during December 1942. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 6-inches
Length: 5-1/2-inches

Release Date: August 2009

Historical Account: "Cow Tipping" - John Dave Landers was born on June 23rd, 1920, in Rexroat, Carter County, Oklahoma. He attended flight school at the Ryan School of Aeronautics in San Diego, California. Landers was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the USAAF and received his wings on December 12th, 1941 - just two days after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Landers served with the 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th Pursuit Group, in the Pacific Theatre, achieving six credited victories against the Japanese. He evaded capture in December 1942 after being shot down and bailing out of his fighter plane near Dobodura, New Guinea. After a period as a flight instructor in the United States, Landers joined the 55th Fighter Group.