CAF Curtiss P-40N Warhawk Restoration

[Taylor Stevenson]

Over the past year, the Commemorative Air Force's Curtiss P-40N Warhawk underwent a detailed refurbishment as a direct result of Col. Ray Kinney's financial generosity and love for the aircraft. The aircraft's wings were de-mated, the entire airframe was checked for corrosion, the aircraft was completely rewired, new control cables were installed, and the entire P-40 was cosmetically restored and mechanically refurbished. All the work was done primarily by Col. Larry Lang in Col. Kinney's hangar in Gainesville, TX. Col. Lang has worked virtually 7 days a week for the past year to get this aircraft back in the air. Col. Kinney has had a team of APs replacing thousands of rivets and electricians creating a complete wiring harness from scratch. All work was monitored by Gary Austin, CAF Director of Maintenance. Here are a few pictures of the process:


The process starts...

De-mating the wings:













A little re-skinning...


Fabrication


Stripped

Interior:





Ready for paint...


Col. Larry Lang



This past week the aircraft rolled out of the paint shop with a more authentic paint scheme. We all remember this aircraft gracing the skies in the livery of legendary ace David Lee "Tex" Hill, but the paint scheme was not the most accurate. Before his passing, the sponsors on the aircraft consulted with Tex on what a correct scheme would be for the aircraft and Tex provided documentation and verbal instructions on how he wanted it done. All of the logos are from Tex's original drawings and the paint colors are from original paint chips. I would like to now introduce you to the CAF's gorgeous P-40N in her new scheme:




























The aircraft will be returning to the skies shortly and will be on the circuit next season. The flying sponsors of the aircraft are: Col. Ray Kinney, Col. Gordon Stevenson, Col. Ollie Crawford, and Col. Kent Holiday. I would like to extend sincere appreciation to retired P-40 pilot Col. Ollie Crawford who has for the past 4 decades has ensured that this piece of military history has been kept in the air. Ollie I salute you! If any of you have any questions I will go to the sources for the answers. Keep in mind that I am in school, so keep the questions to a minimum

[Taylor Stevenson]

This paint scheme incorporates every aspect of Tex flying career, repecting his wishes. This is a flying tribute to Tex.

[steve dickey]

Hello Taylor, very nice little write up, I like the new scheme and look fwd to seeing in person. Before I do and to answer my own question, could you answer me this? Is the panda bears and tiger insignia hand painted and or decals?
Thanks.

[Glen]

Wow Has always been one of my Top Choice Fighter planes ! Hats off the Crew that restored her for another 40 + Years

[Alan Brooks]

Thanks Taylor..... I have been after your dad to get me pictures that I could post on WIX.......... The old girl looks really sweet..... Ray needs to bring her over to Cavanaughs' for the next B-29/B-24 Sqdn meeting on Nov 19, a wednesday night at 7:00pm (shameless plug!). That way we can really take a good look and have her parked next to the CFM P-40 in Chuck Olders markings....... In fact, your dad would look even better with two P-40's. One for each side of the obligatory background shot.... Alan

Photo courtesy of Raymond Jeffcoat.

[Ztex]

WOW!

She has been painted the other way for a long time! Great to see the updated look!

Looking forward to seeing her around!





Bruno would be proud!

[Taylor Stevenson]

Alan- haha ya she will look great at CFM! BTW isnt the CFM P-40 painted to represent Charlie Bond's a/c?

When I'm home for thanksgiving break, the first thing on my list to do, as a new B-24/B-29 sq. member, is to attend a B-24/B-29 meeting. You all have done great things w/ the B-24A! Take a look at the plaque on the tunnel gun I'm proud of that...

[Taylor Stevenson]

Zane- great early shots of the P-40... we found some red paint during the restoration.. I wonder where that came from?

[Taylor Stevenson]

Steve- as far as I know, the tiger, panda bear, and all other details were hand-painted.

[JimH]

The original Tiger was a decal.

Jim

[TAdan]

Awsome! Taylor thanks for posting this thread. I didnt realize the CAF P-40 was getting such attention.

I love the new paintscheme! Those pictures brought a huge grin to my face.

[Alan Brooks]

Yep... my bad ..... Taylor, the red paint came from Mike Dillon, when the bird was kept down in Pt Arthur, Texas down at the old grass strip... not at the current Jefferson County Airport.... or as they now call it,Southeast Regional or some crud like that.... Anyway, this bird has seen the gulf waters in more ways than from the air and rain.
Alan

[mustangdriver]

The original Tiger was a decal.

Jim

The original tiger was a decal, just the tiger. It was done by the Disney Company. Once pilots started changing the design they wanted such as what you one you see in this picture with the blue V for Victory many of them were painted.

[aerovin]

The airplane was bought by Mike Dillon at a duster strip at Pt. Arthur but Dillon restored and operated it out of Phoenix Sky Harbor between about 1963 and 1968. It originally came from the RCAF via barge to Boeing Field in 1947, etc.

[mustangdriver]

A great job by the CAF I'd say.