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.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a USAAC Curtiss P-40N Warhawk fighter that was attached to the 89th Fighter Squadron "Burma Banshees", 80th Fighter Group, then deployed to Assam Valley, Naggaghuli Base, India, during 1944. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 6-inches
Length: 5-inches

Release Date: February 2018

Historical Account: "Burma Banshees" - The 89th Fighter Squadron was originally known as the 89th Pursuit Squadron, formed March 17th, 1942, as part of the 80th Pursuit Group. The Group was composed of the 88th, 89th, and 90th Pursuit Squadrons, and was established at Selfridge Field, Michigan on January 13th, 1942. The 80th Pursuit Group moved to Mitchell Field, New York, in July 1942 to train in the Republic P-47 "Thunderbolt". While there, Lieutenant Freeling Clower designed the distinctive squadron patch still used today by the 89th Fighter Training Squadron; the skull and ace of spades symbolized death in the sky for the opponents, while the clouds and the thunderbolts were for the P-47 "Thunderbolt", the highest flying fighter of its time. In February of 1943, orders came through for the Far East instead of Europe as previously expected, so the 80th Pursuit Group moved to Richmond, Virginia to train in the Curtiss P-40 "Tomahawk".

In May of that year, the 80th Pursuit Group departed the United States for India where they convoyed some 2,200 miles overland to the Assam Valley of the China-Burma-India theater of operations. The 80th Pursuit Group compiled an impressive combat record, providing top cover for cargo aircraft flying "the Hump," delivering bombs on targets in Burma, and engaging Japanese aircraft in air-to-air combat. Their nickname, the "Burma Banshees," was given to them by the natives because of the high-pitched whistling noise the P-40 made during dive bomb runs. The 80th Pursuit Group was deactivated on October 4th, 1945.