P-40 question

[sgt hawk]

One of the first things I look for on the Curtiss Tomahawk is the upper nose area just behind the prop. I'm always thinking of the early models with the two fifty's that fired synchronized thru the prop. Was this only up thru the "C" model with 2 30's in each wing? POF's C model has the fifty fairings. Did they put dummy guns in that one? Always see the Flying Tiger and Pearl Harbor movies with no B's and C's and no nose fifties. So much for Hollywood, but then I'm probably being too critical. Didn't the E and onward go to 3 fifty's in each wing?

Greg Hawkins
Woodstock, Ga

[red two]

yes from the E onwards, they eliminated the fifties in the nose and had 3 fifties in each wing.

[Dan K]

yes from the E onwards, they eliminated the fifties in the nose and had 3 fifties in each wing.

Actually...

http://home.att.net/~jbaugher1/p40_7.html

But you were very close!

[gregv]

Wasn't there also a light-weight model down the line (an N series maybe?) that also had X4 .50's instead of six?

greg v.

[hang the expense]

Wasn't there also a light-weight model down the line (an N series maybe?) that also had X4 .50's instead of six?Yes,But the first was a p-40 D with four gun wing.The N-1 came off the line with four gun wings but were changed out with 6 gun replacements.The firepower was more important than the weight savings.

greg v.

[Chris Brame]

Always see the Flying Tiger and Pearl Harbor movies with no B's and C's and no nose fifties.

Tora! had fake nose guns added to the two flyable E models and the mockup they used for the process shots of Welch and Taylor, but the prop guys forgot to add them to the fiberglass P-40s that were blown up on the ground.

[gemmer]

Wasn't there also a light-weight model down the line (an N series maybe?) that also had X4 .50's instead of six?

greg v.

Yes, the N-1 . Later production Ns went back to six. The Merlin powered L model also carried four.

Duane

[sgt hawk]

Warbird Registry has a bunch of P-40 airframes that are in restoration or storage. I wish it was a little more current. There seems to be a bunch "Down-under" in Australia and New Zealand being stored or restored. Many of those seem to have come from Papua and some from Russia. Several down in Griffin, Ga (need to get down to Falcon Field and snoop around). One of the fiberglass 40's from "Tora" ended up at Wheeler Field at the main gate. I saw that one in Dec 2001 when we took my Dad back for the 60th anniversary, but it was just after 9-11 and Wheeler is now the home of the 25th Inf Div's rotary assets and I don't think any fixed wing aircraft land there anymore and they weren't letting anyone in. I'll bet that 40 is the one hanging from the ceiling in the museum next to the Missouri. I would like to see a few more without the shark's teeth.
Greg Hawkins
Woodstock, Ga