Curtiss P-40 Wheel Size

[warbird_patrick]

Hello all.

What is the wheel size and type used on the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk? Part # if possible.

Thank You

Patrick

[AvroAvian]

G'Day Patrick,

P-40's up to the 'M Model used 30" SC Main Wheels, Curtiss Part No. 87-31-901-3 and the N's used 27" SC Main Wheels, Part No. 23-297, as a part of the airframe lightening program. However, I did hear of the guys in New Guinea ferreting through the aircraft dumps for the 30" wheels to fit to the N's, because they handled the rough airstrips just that little bit better, so you could say both sizes would be authentic fits for the N.

Regards,

Paul

[famvburg]

30" or 27" wheels?? Isn't that bigger than an 18 wheeler's?

G'Day Patrick,

P-40's up to the 'M Model used 30" SC Main Wheels, Curtiss Part No. 87-31-901-3 and the N's used 27" SC Main Wheels, Part No. 23-297, as a part of the airframe lightening program. However, I did hear of the guys in New Guinea ferreting through the aircraft dumps for the 30" wheels to fit to the N's, because they handled the rough airstrips just that little bit better, so you could say both sizes would be authentic fits for the N.

Regards,

Paul

[bdk]

One is the tire height (27SC), the other is the wheel diameter (like on the 18 wheeler).