Warbird Information Exchange

Can anyone inform me as to the purpose of the indented curved panel, behind the cockpit, of the Curtiss P-40, on both sides
of the top of the fuselage? What is the purpose of that recess?

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I could be wrong, and probably am.....but I believe that was made so that the pilot could see behind him, which is particularly handy when a bad guy has managed to get back there in a dogfight.

Gary

I guess Henry David Thoreau was not a fighter pilot, " Never look back unless you are planning on going that way"!!!!???!!!

Those cut outs were also on P-47(razorback), P-36, P-43...any others?

Doh!

Thanks, Gary. I'm sure that is right. I'm sure every square inch of rear view can be a life-saver. but it sure does not look like much actual vision area in this rear view of the P-36 with cutout. Seems like an outside rearview mirror would be much more effective.

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hundreds of images of aero art, memorabilia, photos and artifacts at;
www.memaerobilia.com

Well, having flown many a "combat mission" in a T-6, while fighting Pitts Specials, RV-4s, Extra 300s, etc., I can tell you that being able to look back is a nice thing to have available to you. You can either decipher the best way to defend yourself, or (as what typically happened to me) know just when the "guns, guns, guns" is going to be called over the radio, pronouncing the end of your fight.

I typically looked out the windshield while fighting other T-6's though.

Nonetheless, I'd much rather be able to look back than to only have a mirror available. The mirror would be nice to have if someone was trying to sneak up on you, but during a furball, the eyes God gave you are the best tool.

Maybe Randy Haskins could expand on this with his thoughts on modern day combat. I know they don't have mirrors, but the radar would be a similar modern day tool, for comparison's sake.


Gary

and it's easier to 'realtime' calculate the deflection angle by using the old Mk.1 as opposed to a vibrating externally mounted mirror and once you find him, taking valuable nano seconds to flip the images around inside yo' punkin' head to figure out where the bad dude really is in time and space.

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

That is one of my pet gripes about most war movies, the pilots aren't looking around nearly enough! Must be target fixation!!

Beware the Hun in the sun, tackatakatakatak (BOB movie did pretty well though!)

F6F's and early Corsair's had cut outs too!
Even the Spitfire had them.
Jerry

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

the bubble top is the way to go for best vis! In the fighter game, see them first or else!!!