Curtiss P-40 comparison then & now ...

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7815

Spot on in my opinion!

The P-40 (Curtiss Model 81A-1) was the first production variant, 199 built. Revised versions of the P-40 soon followed: the P-40B or Tomahawk IIA had extra .30 in (7.62 mm) U.S., or .303 in (7.7 mm) machine guns in the wings and a partially protected fuel system; the P-40C or Tomahawk IIB added underbelly drop tank and bomb shackles, self-sealing fuel tanks and other minor revisions, but the extra weight did have a negative impact on aircraft performance. (All versions of the P-40 had a relatively low power-to-weight ratio compared to contemporary fighters.

P-40 No 12446

P-40C Tomahawk serial # 41-13357, at the Planes of Fame Airshow, Chino 5-4-2013.

... and below is a French export.

French Curtiss H81-A (Model H81-A P-40A photo-reconnaissance fighter)

happymeal · **Joined:** Fri Dec 10, 2004 7:00 am **Posts:** 215

May I ask the source of the above picture if you know it ? I have seen only few pictures of H81 ordered by France, and all had the rudder "touched up" to wipe out the red and blue stipes and markings. I have seen other pictures of said french H81, from a serie marked as taken on june 17, 1940. This picture seems to be from the same serie.

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7815

Other than the currently flying P-40 pic. The three others are original Curtiss factory photos.

happymeal · **Joined:** Fri Dec 10, 2004 7:00 am **Posts:** 215

Mark, I could figure that, by the little piece of writing visible at bottom, on which one can make up the date 6-17-1940. Just wondered where the original file was... “hidden" ;-)

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Tue Feb 25, 2020 8:33 am

Pogmusic · **Posted:** Tue Feb 25, 2020 2:50 pm

The French stripes on the rudder were vertical while the US were horizontal.

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7815

happymeal wrote:

Mark, I could figure that, by the little piece of writing visible at bottom, on which one can make up the date 6-17-1940. Just wondered where the original file was... “hidden" ;-)

"hidden" on the second server in my office :wink:

Mark Sampson · **Joined:** Tue Jan 25, 2011 3:02 pm **Posts:** 301

If the photo was indeed made on 6/17/40, the P-40 was an orphan, since there would have been no one to deliver it to by that date.

happymeal · **Joined:** Fri Dec 10, 2004 7:00 am **Posts:** 215

Yes, on that very same day, the French H81 order was transfered to the british governement by the french representant of the purchasing commission.

Mark, any idea where the original print might be ?

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7815

happymeal wrote:

any idea where the original print might be ?

Yes

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Curtiss P-40 comparison then & now ...

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