P-40N "Kittyhawk IV" ...

[Spitty]

Was there ever any thought to putting a Merlin in the P-40?

The P-40F and P-40L had Merlins. Though they had a somewhat better climb and ceiling the difference was not as much as one would suspect and in fact the P-40N (with an Allison) was the fastest P-40 and had the best altitude performance. Add to that there were not enough Packard Merlins to meet the demand and the P-51 had priority. Why continue with the P-40 when it had reached the end of its evolution?

I think aerodynamics played a part in that.

[lucky52]

Interesting.I did not know when P-40 production stopped and I figured most Merlins were probably going to the P-51s anyway. By the way, when did they stop making P-40s? Thanks.

[Clifford Bossie]

Interesting.I did not know when P-40 production stopped and I figured most Merlins were probably going to the P-51s anyway. By the way, when did they stop making P-40s? Thanks.

The last P-40N was accepted 30 November, 1944.