How to prevent a P-40 from ever having a sharks mouth? ...

[Mark Allen M]

... as we know sharks mouths to be applied on P-40's? One way is to create an XP-40Q and you won't have the chin to paint teeth on. Ugly looking thing! The later air racer type was much better looking.

"The P-40Q was an experimental project which attempted to produce a really modern fighter out of the existing P-40. The modifications were in fact so drastic that there was very little in common with earlier P-40 versions.

Two P-40Ks (serial numbers 42-9987 and 42-45722) and one P-40N (serial number 43-24571) were extensively modified with revised cooling systems, two-stage superchargers, and structural changes which markedly altered their appearance. The project was assigned the designation XP-40Q.

The first XP-40Q was P-40K-10-CU ser no 42-9987 fitted with a new cooling system, a longer nose, and a four-bladed propeller. The radiators were moved into an under-fuselage position, with intakes between the undercarriage legs.

The most prominent XP-40Q feature, used on 42-45722 and 43-24571, was the cutting down of the rear fuselage and the addition of a bubble canopy as on the "XP-40N". Later the wingtips were clipped. The result was an aircraft which bore almost no resemblance whatsoever to its parent P-40 line. The V-1710-121 engine was fitted with water injection, resulting in a power of 1425 hp. Speed increased to 422 mph at 20,500 feet, making it the fastest of all the P-40s. An altitude of 20,000 feet could be reached in 4.8 minutes, and service ceiling was 39,000 feet. Four 0.5-inch machine guns were carried by the prototypes. Wingspan was 35 feet 3 inches (after clipping), and length was 35 feet 4 inches (2 feet longer than the P-40N).

The proposed production models of the P-40Q were to have carried either six 0.50-inch machine guns or four 20-mm cannon, but the XP-40Q was still inferior to contemporary production Mustangs and Thunderbolts, and development was therefore abandoned. Consequently, the production life of the P-40 ended with the N version.

The second XP-40Q was briefly used for postwar air racing. Registered NX300B, the second XP-40Q was an unauthorized starter in the 1947 Thompson Trophy race. It was in fourth place when it caught fire and had to drop out of the race." (J. Baugher)











Below a P-47G built by Curtiss with an XP-40Q & Cessna Bamboo Bomber in the background.

[Mark Allen M]

This one seemed to have been called the XP-40Q-2A. Much better looking iMHO.















and for those who like the NMF look ...

[Mark Allen M]

No such luck ..... if there's a will ...

[Mark Allen M]

[kennsmithf2g]

"The second XP-40Q was briefly used for postwar air racing. Registered NX300B, the second XP-40Q was an unauthorized starter in the 1947 Thompson Trophy race. It was in fourth place when it caught fire and had to drop out of the race." (J. Baugher)"

I guess you can call bailing out and crashing "dropping out" of the race..................

[Mark Allen M]

I guess you can call bailing out and crashing "dropping out" of the race..................

"dropped out" .... in a ball of flames.

[Lon Moer]

[JohnB]

I've always liked the looks of the "Q", a slightly smaller-scale one would be a neat homebuilt.

[C VEICH]

I too have always thought the XP-40Q was a fine looking ship. It's a real shame that NX300B came to such a sad ending. What a unique survivor it would have made!

PS - Looking at the pictures it sure seems like Curtiss was having a hard time settling on a canopy shape!

[Pogo]

No such luck ..... if there's a will ...

Ha ha, didn't see that one coming, 'bout spit beer all over my monitor! Ah yes, where there's a P-40, there's a way...

Wonderful stuff, thanks again Mr. M!

[Pogmusic]

It has always looked to me to be a product of a midnight liaison with a P-40 and a Spit. Probably in North Africa.....

[Stoney]

looks Yakish to me from the side