CURTISS P-40N "WARHAWK"

The P-40, developed from the P-36, was America's foremost fighter in service when WWII began.  P-40s engaged Japanese aircraft during the attack on Pearl Harbor and the invasion of the Philippines in December 1941.  They also were flown in China early in 1942 by the famed Flying Tigers and in North Africa in 1943 by the first AAF all-black unit, the 99th Fighter Squadron.

The P-40 served in numerous combat areas: the Aleutian Islands, North Africa, Italy, the Far East, the Southwest Pacific, and some were sent to Russia.  Though often outclassed by its adversaries in speed, maneuverability and rate of climb, the P-40 earned a reputation in battle for extreme ruggedness.  At the end of the P-40’s brilliant career, more than 14,000 had been produced for service in the air forces of 28 nations, of which 5,210 were of the "N" series.  Thirty P-40Ns, including the aircraft on display, were modified into two-seat conversion trainers by adding a second cockpit behind the pilot. The Museum's aircraft has since been reconfigured back to its original production configuration.

During WWII Robins Air Force Base served as a logistics support center and depot repair facility of all P-40s assigned in the Southeast.  The aircraft on display was acquired in 1994 and recovered and restored with the help of the 653rd Combat Logistics Support Squadron and the Air Force Reserve.  It is displayed in the markings of Colonel Bob Scott, author of "God is My Copilot," during his service in China with General Clare Chennault during WWII.  Brig Gen Scott retired from the USAF in 1956, accumulating over 33,000 flying hours, more than any other military pilot at the time.