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.

The P-40B or Tomahawk IIA had extra .30 in (7.62 mm) U.S., or .303 in (7.7 mm) machine guns in the wings and a partially protected fuel system; the P-40C or Tomahawk IIB added underbelly drop tank and bomb shackles, self-sealing fuel tanks and other minor revisions, but the extra weight did have a negative impact on aircraft performance. All versions of the P-40 had a relatively low power-to-weight ratio compared to contemporary fighters.

This particular 1:48 scale replica of an American Volunteer Group Curtiss P-40C fighter was piloted by Greg Boyington, who was attached to the 1st Pursuit Squadron, then deployed to Kunming, China, during June 1942. Pre-order! Ship Date: August 2026.

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 9-1/4-inches
Length: 7-3/4-inches

Release Date: ?

Historical Account: "Liar and a Drunk" - While serving as an instructor at Pensacola, Boyington punched another officer during a disagreement, and was informed by his superiors that he likely faced a court-martial. At this time, representatives looking for volunteer fighter pilots to fight in China visited Pensacola. Boyington quickly resigned his commission in the Marine Corps on August 26th, 1941, to accept a position with the Central Aircraft Manufacturing Company, which was a civilian firm that contracted to staff a Special Air Unit to defend China and the Burma Road. This later became known as the American Volunteer Group, the famed Flying Tigers in Burma. During his time with the Tigers, Boyington became a flight leader. He was frequently in trouble with the commander of the outfit, Claire Chennault, and reportedly was disliked and distrusted by the other pilots in the organization, who considered Boyington a "liar and a drunk". Boyington was officially credited with two Japanese aircraft destroyed in the air and one and a half on the ground. Boyington always claimed that he shot down six in the air, a claim accepted by the Marine Corps. In April 1942, he broke his contract with the American Volunteer Group and returned on his own to the United States.