Design:
Glen Curtis
Company:
Curtis
Curtis – Wright Corp
Developed from:
P 36
Wing Span:
37 ft 3 ½ in 11.37 M
Wing Area:
236 sq ft 21.90 Sq M
Length:
P 40 B
31 ft 8 ½ in 9.66 M
P 40 N
33 ft 4 in 10.6 M
Height:
12 ft 4 in 3.66 M
Ceiling:
P 40 B
32,400 ft 9,875 M
P 40 N
38,000 ft 11,582 M
Speed: at 15,000 ft
P 40 B
352 MPH 566 KPH
P 40 N
343 MPH 553 KPH
Range:
P 40 B
730 Miles 1,175 Km
P 40 N
750 Miles 1,207 Km
T/O Weight:
7,450 lb 3,424 Kg
Empty Weight:
P 40 B
5,590 lb 2,536 Kg
P 40 N
6,000 lb 2,722 Kg
Entered Service:
June 1941
Crew:
1 Pilot
Role:
Fighter
Fighter / Bomber
Total Manufactured:
13,738 All Marks
First Flight:
Oct 1938
Armament:
P40 B
4 x .30 in machine guns in wings
2 x .50 in machine guns in forward fuselage
P40 N
6 x .5in machine guns in wings
Up to
1500 lb -680 Kg bombs external/under wing
Years Served:
1942 to 1948
Qty Served:
297
Tail Nos
P40 E NZ 3001 to NZ 3044
NZ 3091 to NZ 3107
NZ 3271
P40 K NZ 3045 to NZ 3065
NZ 3090 to NZ 3108
P40 L NZ 3074
P40 M NZ 3066 to NZ 3073
NZ 3075 to NZ 3089
NZ 3109 to NZ 3119
NZ 3180
P40 N NZ 3120 to NZ 3179
NZ 3181 to NZ 3270
NZ 3272 to NZ 3293
First flight on 14 Oct 1938, the radial engine of a P 38A Hawk was replaced
with an Allison V-1710 – 19 air-cooled in-line engine of 1,040 Hp
The Warhawk made its name in China with the American Volunteer Group
“ The Flying Tigers” where they began operations against the Japanese in late 1941.
The P 40 D had an engine change to the Allison V – 1710- 30,
the fuselage guns removed and the wing guns changed to .5 in,
These were known as “ Kittyhawk 1s”,
the E used a Roll Royce Merlin 28 engine to achieve a top speed of 373 MPH [600 KPH]
All Lend-Lease aircraft
Price $ US 77,706.00 ea
P40N also known as Warhawk
On the way to Norfolk Island
ENGINE
Type:
P40 – E-K-M-N Allison
P40 – L Packard
P40 – E V1710 – 39 [F3R]
P40 – K V1790 – 73 [F4R]
P40 – M-N V1790 – 81
P40 – L V1650 – 1 [copy of R R Merlin 28]
12 cylinder, 60^ vee, in-line, liquid cooled, single supercharger
Horse Power:
1390 HP 1.040 kW
Bore:
5.4 in 137.2 mm
Stroke:
6.0 in 152.4 mm
Volume:
1649 cu in 27.04 L
Compression Ratio:
6: 1
Max RPM:
Fuel:
100 octane
after mid 1944 100/150 octane
Length:
88.7 in 2,253 mm
Height:
40 in 1,016 mm
Width:
30.8 in 781 mm
Weight:
1645 lb 746 Kg
Power to Weight Ratio:
100 octane 0.80 hp/lb
100/150 octane 1.21 hp/lb
Flown By:
In South Pacific
15 Sqn Tonga
14 Sqn 15 Sqn 16 Sqn
17 Sqn 18 Sqn 19 Sqn
Not Flown in South Pacific
2 [F] OTU Ohakea Apr-Jun 1942
20 Sqn 21 Sqn 22 Sqn
4 [F] OTU Ardmore Mar 1944
Fighter Gunnery School Gisborne Apr 1944
2 FOCU Ohakea
OTU = Operational Training Unit
B O C = Brought On Charge
Dumbo = Usually a Catalina, rescue flight
RTP = Reduced To Produce, scrapped
U/C = Undercarriage
A/C = Aircraft
MOTAT = Museum Of Transport And Technology
Sqn = Squadron
FOCU = Fighter Operational Training Unit
RD = Repair Depot
Inst = Instructional Non-Flying Airframe
14 Sqn Code Letter HQ and AX at Ohakea
15 Sqn JZ
16 Sqn XO
17 Sqn
18 Sqn LV
19 Sqn
20 Sqn NH
NZ 3101
Mark: P40E-1
Constructors No,: 19613
USAAF No.: 41-25102
RAF No.: ET 426
Taken over from 68th Pursuit Group USAAF
At Fuamotu, Tonga 27 Oct 1942
By 15 Sqn
To Unit 81 Ardmore 31 Jan 1944
To 4 OTU Ohakea Sep 1944
During an aerobatic exercise the
A/C entered a steep dive
And hit the ground near Bulls 1445 on 5 Oct 1944
Sgt James Mc Clafferty killed
Written off at Ohakea
NZ 3102
Mark: P40E-1
Constructors No.: 19612
USAAF No.: 41-25101
RAF No.: ET 425
Taken over from 68th Pursuit Group USAAF
At Fuamotu, Tonga 27 Oct 1942
By 15 Sqn
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948
NZ 3103
Mark: P40E-1
Constructors No.: 19642
USAAF No.: 41-25131
RAF No.: ET 455
Taken over from 68th Pursuit Group USAAF
At Fuamotu, Tonga 27 Oct 1942
By 15 Sqn
To 16 Sqn
A/C suffered instrument failure shortly
After take off, dived into sea near
Toutouba Island 24 Jun 1943
F/L Arthur Hyams killed
Written off 12 Jul 1943
NZ 3104
Mark: P40E-1
Constructors No.: 19657
USAAF No.: 41-25146
RAF No.: ET 470
Taken over from 68th Pursuit Group USAAF
At Fuamotu, Tonga 27 Oct 1942
By 15 Sqn
To Base Depot 10 Apr 1944
To 2 OTU Ohakea
Engaged in formation flying when the
A/C lost height and rolled over
Before crashing near Sanson 0925 on 22 Sep 1944
F/O Philip Clark killed
Bailed out but parachute
failed to deploy properly
Written off at Ohakea
NZ 3105
Mark: P40E-1
Constructors No.: 19647
USAAF No.: 41-25136
RAF No.: ET 460
Taken over from 68th Pursuit Group USAAF
At Fuamotu, Tonga 27 Oct 1942
By 15 Sqn
To 4 OTU Ohakea
Taxi accident, NZ 3097 taxied into A/C 27 Sep 1944
Written off at Ohakea
NZ 3106
Mark: P40E-1
Constructors No.: 19637
USAAF No.: 41-25126
RAF No.: ET 450
Taken over from 68th Pursuit Group USAAF
At Fuamotu, Tonga 27 Oct 1942
By 15 Sqn
To 18 Sqn
Crashed into jungle and burned,
Operating from Espiritu Santo 23 Sep 1943
Written off at Espiritu Santo 1 Nov 1943
NZ 3107
Mark: P40E-1
Constructors No.: 19631
USAAF No.: 41-25120
RAF No.: ET 444
Taken over from 68th Pursuit Group USAAF
At Fuamotu, Tonga 27 Oct 1942
By 15 Sqn
To 14 Sqn
Crashed on training flight from
Espiritu Santo 3 Jun 1943
Written off at Espiritu Santo 12 Jul 1943
NZ 3108
Mark: P40K-1
Constructors No: 15760
USAAF No.: 42-45959
Taken over from 68th Pursuit Group USAAF
At Fuamotu, Tonga 27 Oct 1942
By 15 Sqn
To 16 Sqn
Clipped palms at side of runway when
Taking off on an operational flight 23 Jun 1943
Sgt R Blair injured
Written off at Epiritu Santo 12 Jul 1943
Listed in US documents as “condemned 16 Oct 1943”
P40M - 5 to 10
NZ 3109
Mark: P40M-10
Constructors No.: 27484
USAAF No.: 43-5796
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 21 May 1943
Code letter/No.: 32
Ran short of fuel on a patrol
Crash landing at Segi 21 Jul 1943
Sgt P Tilyard uninjured
Repaired and returned to service
To 18 Sqn
Engine problems required a return to airfield
Two unsuccessful attempts to land were made,
A/C suffered total engine failure, stalled and
Dived into the sea at the end of the runway 0900 on 28 Oct 1943
Sgt Donald Hill killed
Writen off 1 Nov 1943
NZ 3110
Mark: P40M-10
Constructors No.: 27485
USAAF No.: 43-5797
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 21 May 1943
Code letter/No.: 38
To 4 OTU Ohakea
Mid air with Kittyhawk NZ 3141 during
Formation practice,
A/C landed in a river 5 miles from Ohakea 0920 on 21 Mar 1945
Sgt Frank Rout killed
Written off at Ohakea 29 Mar 1945
NZ 3111
Mark: P40M-10
Constructors No.: 27487
USAAF No.: 43-5799
B O C No 1 Aircraft DepotHobsonville 21 May 1943
Code letter/No.: 33
To 17 Sqn
Shot down by enemy aircraft while on
Escort duty
Crashed near Kahili 0935 on 23 Sep 1943
W/O Norman Vickers survived the crash
Taken prisoner, died in captivity 24 Jul 1944
Written off at Guadalcanal 1 Nov 1943
NZ 3112
Mark: P40M-10
Constructors No.: 27488
USAAF No.: 43-5800
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 21 May 1943
Code letter/No.: 34
To 4 OTU Ardmore
Mid air with Kitthawk NZ 3072 while
Low level formation flying
Over Papakura A/C dived into the ground 5 Jun 1944
Sgt John Tirikatene killed
Written off at Ardmore 28 Jun 1944
NZ 3113
Mark: P40M-10
Constructors No.: 27489
USAAF No.: 43-5801
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 21 May 1943
Code letter / No.: 35
To 16 Sqn
After being shot at by a “Tony” and
Suffering engine failure
The A/C was ditched on a reef
North of Vella – Lavella
F/S Noel Pie minor injuries
rescued by Higgins Boat 3 Sep 1943
Written off at Guadalcanal 15 Sep 1943
NZ 3114
Mark: P40M-10
Constructors No.: 27492
USAAF No.: 43-5804
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 21 May 1943
Code No.: 36
To 4 OTU Ohakea
Night flying circuit training when the
A/C under shot and hit a bank
F/O Peter Duncan killed 0030 on 25 Jul 1944
Written off at Ohakea 2 Aug 1944
NZ 3115
Mark: P40M-10
Constructors No.: 27493
USAAF No.: 43-5805
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 21 May 1943
Code letter / No.: 39
Flown by Keith Mulligan
Whenuapai – Espiritu Santo
Departed 6 Jul 1943
To 16 Sqn
To 4 OTU Ohakea Sep 1944
During aerobatic practice the A/C
spun through clouds
and dived into the ground 1500 on 3 Nov 1944
Sgt Stephen Webster killed
Written off at Ohakea
NZ 3116
Mark: P40M-10
Constructors No.: 27495
USAAF No.: 43-5807
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 21 May 1943
Code letter/No.: 37
To 16 Sqn
Code letter: D
After being badly shot up the A/C
crash landed at Munda strip
P/O D Jones uninjured 15 Aug 1943
Written off at Guadalcanal 1 Nov 1943
NZ 3117
Mark: P40M-10
Constructors No.: 27496
USAAF No.: 43-5808
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 21 May 1943
To 2 OTU Ohakea
Night flying circuit training, A/C crashed
Into ground shortly after taking off
Sgt Trevor Tyler killed 2225 on 1 Dec 1943
Written off at Ohakea 4 Jan 1944
NZ 3118
Mark: P40M-10
Constructors No.: 27497
USAAF No.: 43-5809
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 21 May 1943
To 4 OTU Ohakea Sep 1944
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948
NZ 3119
Mark P40M-10
Constructors No.: 27501
USAAF No.: 43-5813
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 21 May 1943
To 2 OTU Ohakea
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948
1 of the last 4 Kittyhawks to be melted,
Was still at Rukuhia Mar 1967
Sold to J Chambers & Don Subritzky at Dairy Flat,
To be restored to flying condition
====================================================================================================
P40N-1 to 20
NZ 3120
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No.: 28444
USAAF No.: 42-104682
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 25 Jun 1943
Code letter J
To 18 Sqn
Shot down by enemy fighter while on
Escort duty
Crashed into St George’s Channel 5 Feb 1944
F/O Ronald Bremner killed
NZ3121
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No.: 28445
USAAF No.: 42-104683
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 25 Jul 1943
Code letter: K
To 17 Sqn
Shot down by enemy fighter while on
Escort duty
Crashed into sea near Cape Gazelle 9 Jan 1944
F/O Arthur Sladen killed
NZ 3122
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No.: 28446
USAAF No.: 42-104684
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 25 Jul 1943
Code letter A
Crashed into sea near New Georgia 14 Nov 1943
Written off at New Georgia 31 Jan 1944
NZ 3123
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No.: 28447
USAAF No.: 42-104685
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 25 Jul 1943
Code letter: H
To 17 Sqn
Shot down by enemy fighter while on
Escort duty
Crashed into sea near Cape Gazelle 9 Jan 1944
F/O Douglas Jones killed
Written off 31 Jan 1944
NZ 3124
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No.: 28448
USAAF No.: 42-104686
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 25 Jul 1943
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948
NZ 3125
Mark: P40N-1
Construction No.: 28448
USAAF No.: 42-104687
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 25 Jul 1943
To 2 OTU Ohakea
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948
NZ 3126
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No.: 28451
USAAF No.: 42-104689
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 25 Jul 1943
Code letter: C
To 18 Sqn
Shot down by enemy fighter while on
Escort duty
Crashed into St George’s Channel 5 Feb 1944
Sgt Bruce Nicholson killed
Written off at Bougainville 9 Feb 1944
NZ 3127
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No.: 28452
USAAF No.: 42-104690
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 8 Jul 1943
Code letter: V
To 18 Sqn
Shot down by enemy fighter while doing
Escort duty
A/C was on fire, dived from 900 ft into the
Sea near Kabanga Bay 1245 on 9 Feb 1944
Sgt Reardon killed
Written off at Bougainville 9 Mar 1944
NZ 3128
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No.: 28453
USAAF No.: 42-104691
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 8 Jul 1943
Code letter: D
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948
NZ 3129
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No.: 28454
USAAF No.: 42-104692
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 8 Jul 1943
Code letter: E
Lost at sea off New Georgia 9 Nov 1943
Written off at New Georgia 31 Jan 1944
NZ 3130
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No.: 28455
USAAF No.: 42-104693
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 8 Jul 1943
Code letter: F
To 19 Sqn
The A/C was part of an 18 A/C flight
ferrying from Guadalcanal to Espiritu Santo
The formation entered a large cumulus cloud
and split up
NZ 3130 was not seen again 24 Apr 1944
F/S Keith Armstrong missing presumed killed
Written off at Guadalcanal
NZ 3131
Mark: P40M-1
Constructors No.: 28456
USAAF No.: 42-104694
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 8 Jul 1943
Code letter: G
Damaged by enemy action, overturned
On landing at Guadalcanal 27 Sep 1943
F/S I Murdoch uninjured
Written off at Guadalcanal 1 Nov 1943
NZ 3132
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No.: 28457
USAAF No.: 42-104695
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 8 Jul 1943
Crashed into sea off New Georgia 20 Nov 1943
Written off at New Georgia 31 Jan 1944
NZ 3133
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No.: 28458
USAAF No.: 42-104696
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 8 Jul 1943
Code letter: U
Taxi accident at New Georgia 1 Jan 1944
Written off at New Georgia 31 Jan 1944
NZ 3134
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No.: 28459
USAAF No.: 42-104697
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 8 Jul 1943
Code letter: L
To 17 Sqn
A 48 A/C fighter sweep over Rabaul
was attacked by enemy fighters near
Gavutu Island
NZ 3134 was 1 of 5 that failed to return 24 Dec 1943
F/L Alister Buchanan killed
Written off 31 Jan 1944
NZ 3135
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No.: 28460
USAAF No.: 42-104698
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 8 Jul 1943
Code letter: I
To 17 Sqn
A 48 A/C fighter sweep over Rabaul
Was attacked by enemy fighters near
Gavutu Island
NZ 3135 was 1 of 5 that failed to return 24 Dec 1943
F/S D Williams was injured and rescued
from the water 6 hours later
NZ 3136
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No.: 28461
USAAF No.: 42-104699
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 8 Jul 1943
Code letter: M
To 4 OTU Ohakea Sept 1944
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948
NZ 3137
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No.: 28462
USAAF No.: 42-104700
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 8 Jul 1943
Code letter: N
To 18 Sqn
Shot down by an enemy fighter while on
Escort duty
Crashed into the sea near the Warangoi
River Mouth
F/O Harold Souter killed 1100 on 13 Feb 1944
Written off at Bougainville 9 Mar 1944
NZ 3138
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No.: 28463
USAAF No.: 42-104701
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 8 Jul 1943
Code letter: O
To 4 Support Unit
Code letter: F
Written off at New Georgia 31 Jan 1944
NZ 3139
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No,: 28464
USAAF No.: 42-104702
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 8 Jul 1943
Code letter: X
Crashed into sea off Bougainville 8 Mar 1944
Written off at Bougainville 9 Mar 1944
NZ 3140
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No,: 28505
USAAF No.: 42-104743
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 27 Jul 1943
Code letter: P
To 17 Sqn
A 48 A/C fighter sweep over Rabaul
Was attacked by enemy fighters
NZ 3140 was 1 of 5 A/C that failed to return 24 Dec 1943
F/L Peter Worsp killed
Written off 31 Jan 1944
NZ 3141
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No.: 28506
USAAF No.: 42-104744
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 27 Jul 1943
To 4 OTU Ohakea
Mid air with Kittyhawk NZ 3089 over
Woodbourne 19 Oct 1943
F/O P Bull uninjured
Major fin and rudder repair carried out
Mid air with Kittyhawk NZ 3110 during a
Formation flying practice
The A/C dived into the ground approx 5
Miles from Ohakea 0920 on 21 Mar 1945
P/O Neville Quigley killed
Written off at Ohakea 29 Mar 1945
NZ 3142
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No.: 28507
USAAF No.: 42-104745
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 27 Jul 1943
Code letter: C
Repaired and returned to service
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948
NZ 3143
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No.: 28508
USAAF No.: 42-104746
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 27 Jul 1943
To 4 OTU Ohakea Sep 1944
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948
NZ 3144
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No.: 28509
USAAF No.: 42-104747
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 27 Jul 1943
Code letter: S
Lost at sea because of enemy action
During operations 12 Dec 1943
Written off at New Georgia 31 Jan 1944
NZ 3145
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No.: 28511
USAAF No.: 42-1047749
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 27 Jul 1943
Code letter: T
Crashed at Bougainville 17 Dec 1943
Written off at Bougainville 31 Jan 1944
NZ 3146
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No.: 28512
USAAF No.: 42-104750
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 27 Jul 1943
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948
NZ 3147
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No.: 28513
USAAF No.: 42-104751
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 27 Jul 1943
To 16 Sqn
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948
NZ 3148
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No.: 28514
USAAF No.: 42-104752
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 27 Jul 1943
Code letter G
Named Gloria Lyons [the first of five different
A/C to be named in her honour]
To 18 Sqn
Engine failure just prior to landing
A/C missed the runway
Hit a mound of earth and overturned 9 Feb 1944
Sgt Charles Woods uninjured
Written off at Bougainville 9 Mar 1944
NZ 3149
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No.: 28515
USAAF No.: 42-104753
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 27 Jul 1943
Code letter/No.: 80
Taxi accident at Bougainville 28 Jan 1944
Written off at Bougainville 2 Feb 1944
NZ 3150
Mark: P40N-1
Constructors No.: 28607
USAAF No.: 42-104845
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 27 Jul 1943
U/C Collapsed landing at Ohakea 14 Jun 1945
Written off at Ohakea 28 Jun 1945
Unsourced photos through the Ohakea Museum
with thanks to son-of-satire for the banner