More French Hawks... this is the same lineup shown in the last photo posted by Martin.
These are from a series of photos showing former USAAF P-40F Warhawks during an official presentation ceremony
which handed the aircraft over to the French in North Africa.
Here's the accompanying caption for the first photo:
Line-up of 13 P-40 United States Warhawks which Americans recently presented to the Fighting French air
forces at an airport somewhere in North Africa on behalf of the people of the United States.
That 'somewhere in North Africa' was Casablanca and the date was January 9th, 1943. Despite the caption
describing thirteen P-40s, there are only twelve Hawks in the photo. All were formerly with the USAAF 33rd FG
and were officially handed over to the French GC II/5 'Groupe Lafayette' or 'Lafayette Escadrille' during this
presentation ceremony.
There are a few other aircraft in this photo; the Gooney Bird in the background and some French Dewoitine
D.520s in the hangar. Also visible in the hangar is a lone French Hawk 75.
But this is a P-40-only thread, so I won't mention those...
Library of Congress
Big Brass!
This photo shows Major-General James Doolittle (on the left) and Major-General Carl Spaatz (on the right)
escorting French Major-General Bergeret as he inspects the aircraft.
Library of Congress
Here 'ya go Padre!
Accompanying cation:
Lieutenant Hal C. Tunnell of Knoxville, Tennessee, left, introducing the Reverend R. P. Bougerol, Chaplain of the
Lafayette Escadrille, to Lieutenant J. J. Ketcher of Fresno, California, full-blooded Cherokee Indian. The Indian
head and Escadrille insignia are seen on the fuselage of the P-40.
Library of Congress
And a color shot...
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