Seale} COMBAT? Bee OD The Curtiss P-36 and P-40 in USAAC/USAAF service 1939 to 1945 y = “by H C Bridgwater ‘ Series Editor Neil Robinson _ bi Oe eta redCurtiss P3666" of the 27h Pursuit Squadron, {st Purault Group, July 1030, “This P35 took pain he camoutage tras held at ‘The aera appeates a Specicaion "4057-8 watt based iemporrycamoutage part. This particular thre-coour score consisted of White 25, Sand 26 Gantyertteaetaen miaueucs ineCOMBAT COLOURS - 3 The Curtiss Weed UES AD by H C Bridgwater artwork by Jon Freeman INTRODUCTION ‘The P36 was an attempt by Curtiss to remain at the forefont of fighter design ‘during the mi. 1930s folowing the success ‘Fa series of biplane figiters which had shared the generic appeliation of "Hawk ‘These aleraft had for several years been ‘the equipment of many font ne squadrons, ‘of both the US Army Al Corps and US Navy, 35 well as providing Curtiss with a uset Drocit foe export. ‘The P38 was no less. success, ‘senvng with both the USAAG/USAAF and 3 host of foreign Ar Forces where i played an ‘active pat in the ear yeas ofthe Second ‘World War. The basic design proved to be capable of considerable development, 35 ‘shown by the adoption of the. Alison engine, at which time the designation was, Epltomising the thousands of Curtis ‘Hawks’ produced, i this eri production HON, 42"104585, inthe typieal migwarschome of Dark Olive Drab uppersuraces “The Curtiss P-36 and P-40 series in USAAC/USAAF service 1939 - 1945", by HC Bridgewater Artwork by Jon Freeman Design and layout: Steve Page blished by Guideline PublicationsThe origin of the Curtis P-36 and P-40 series lies in an Army Air Corps Specification issued in 1934 calling for a fighter ofall metal, low wing design which was to have a top speed of 300mph, Armament was to consist of two machine uns, one of 0.30 inch and one of 0.50, inch calibre. In all, five companies, including Curtiss, ‘tendered designs to this, Specification and the Curtiss submission, known at this time as the Curtiss Model 75, flew for the first time in mid-April 1935. Over the next year or so all the firms. tendering submissions to this specification ran into trouble of one sort fr another, and ultimately the Seversky submission was accepted by the Air Corps and put into production as the P 35A. AS a ‘consolation prize’ for being judged second, Curtiss was awarded a Production contract for three Curtiss 75Bs powered by the Pratt and Whitney 1830 Twin Wasp radial engine to be used as service test aireratt Known as the YP-36, these aircraft fecelved enthusiastic comments from Army Air Corps test pilots, and on the basis of this evaluation the Air Corps decided to order the Curtiss fighter into production, placing a contract on 7 July 1937 for 210 aircraft Deliveries began in April 1938, with the P-36A entering service with the 55th, 77th, and 79th Pursuit Squadrons of ‘the 20th Pursuit Group at Barksdale Field, Louisiana, ‘The first of the breed The P.36 entered service in an overall natural metal finish, with @ matt Bronze Green antigjare panel on the forward fuselage justin front of the cockpit. The national markings carried by. these aircraft were the ‘star in a disc” insignia with a red centre spot, positioned above and below both wings, and a red, white and blue striped rudder. The legend “U.S, ARMY’ appeared in. black across the undersides of the mainplanes, General Headquarters Air Force ‘markings consisted of the squadron colour on the cowling which was to be Pi “SG Wriss P=35/P240 sarias USAACIUSAVAP 1939 2 4943, either white, yellow, red, (and in the case of a four squadron Group), blue. Within each squadron, the’ Squadron Commander’ aircraft was distinguished by two vertical stripes around the fuselage, ‘A Flight Commanders’ by a single vertical stripe and “8! and °C’ Fight Commanders’ aircraft by a single forward and a single backward, inclined stipe respectively. All these stripes were ‘applied in the squadron colour. The GHQ “Airplane | Number designator was applied in two lines on leach side of the fin and in a single line on the upper and the lower surfaces of the Port wing, n black. The pilot's name was applied in white on a black rectangular background on the forward portion of the Port Side of the fuselage. An authorised ‘squadron badge was also carried on each Side of the fuselage, One example of the authorised squadron badge was the ‘Indian head’ Insignia of the 94th Pursuit Squadron of the 1st Pursuit Group. During World War One, Eddie Rickenbacker had flown with this’ unit and ad introduced its well known ‘Hat in the Ring’ emblem, At the fend of that war, Rickenbacker took the rights to the emilem with him which led to the adoption of the “Indian's head’ emblem instead. With the outbreak of World War Two, Rickenbacker returned the rights of the "Hat in the Ring’ emblem to the squadron who have used it ever Heading: P.36A, PT 30, of the 79th Pursuit ‘Squadron, 20th Pursuit Group, circa 1340. The alrratt was natural metal overall with aan AcN Orange Yellow cowling and Fight Leader's stripe around the fuselage, Note the placement of the Squedron badge on the fuselage, "U.S. ARMY" legend across the undersurfaces of both wings and GH. designator under the port wing, Left: P-36A, PA 90, of the 94th Pursuit ‘Squadron, ist Pursuit Group, cirea 1940, showing the famous “Indian's Head’ Squadron badge on the fuselage and GHO lesignatEarly colours ‘The colours were those of the Air Corps Porcelain Plates, which were issued in November 1935, There were seven colours altogether, six of which were colours drawn’ from another Specification, 3:1, which was a general paint and related materials specification, Used by all the branches of the US Army. The colours were: Yellow No 4 Red (Flag colour) No 15 Maroon No 18 Olive Drab No 22 Light Biue No 23, Blue (Flag Blue) No 24 ‘The only colour in the Porcelain Plates not taken from Spec 34 was White as Spec 344 did not include either White or Black. Neither Black nor Bronze Green were included in the Porcelain Plates. In the case of Bronze Green, Spec 34 itself remained the Standard for this colour. However, from September 1938 the colour standard used by the Air Corps. was changed by the introduction of the ArmyNavy (AN) porcelain enamel aircraft ‘colour standards, which as the name suggests, was a standard which was to be used t9 contro all pants supplied to both the Amy and Navy for aeronautical use. Each set of these new standards ‘contained the following colours: International Orange Insignia Red Insignia White Insignia Blue Engine Gray Instrument Black Lemon Yellow True Blue Gloss Black Orange Yellow Maroon Alrcraft Cream Aircraft Gray Olive Drab Blue Green Thee of these colours were significantly different to those they replaced. Insignia Red was brighter and more yellow than Red No 15; Orange Yellow was less ‘orange than Yellow No 4; and True Blue was much darker than Light Blue No 23 with no trace of green. Itis interesting to rote that once again, Bronze Green was rot included, Spec 3-4 still remaining the Standard for this particular colour. After the delivery of 178 P-36As, the firepower of the type was increased by the addition of a .30 calibre machine gun in each wing accompanied by a small bulged fairing under each wing to collect the spent cartridge cases. A more Powerful engine was also fitted and the Gesignation of the enhanced aircraft was changed to P-36C, thirty-two aircraft of this type eventually seeing service. ‘The work up period of the P.36A and P.26C was beset with many problems, but during 1939 adaitional units began to convert to the types - the 4th and 27th Pursuit Squadrons of the 1st Pursuit Group at Selfridge Field, Michigan and the 33rd, 34th, and 35th Pursuit Squadrons of the 8th Pursuit Group at Langley Feld, Viginia. Besides these Units, seven ‘more Groups, the 15th, 46th, 28th 32nd, 35th, 36th, and 58th went on to equip with the type. Camouflage trials OF these units, the P-36Cs of the 27th Pursuit Squadron of the 1st Pursuit Group at Selfridge Field, carried the first camouflage scheme to be applied to any of the Curtiss Hawk series in US service, when in July 1939 the unit was selected 10 take part in a public display. The Air Corps had been carrying out ‘camouflage tals for over a year by this time, spurted on by events in Europe, and ‘the ‘Air Corps thought it necessary to show the American public that its aircraft were the equals of foreign types which were about to go to war finished in various camouflage schemes. Therefore twenty-one P-36s were camouflaged and demonstrated at the 1939 National Air Races, held at Cleveland, Ohio, between 2 and 4 September, just as the Second Word War was beginning in Europe. The colours Used were taken from Specification 14057-8 which had been issued as the Standard for temporary camouflage paints in March 1938. This Standard Contained the following colours: White No 25 Sand No 26 Dark Blue No 29 Dark Green No 30 Dark Olive Drab No 31 Neutral Gray No 32 Black No 33 Whilst all the aircraft on the squadron seem to have been camouflaged, no two aircraft appear to have been finished in the same schemel Of the markings, whilst part of the Aircraft Designation umber was retained on the fin and the ‘command stripes and squadron badge was retained on the fuselage - on most airframes - all other markings were painted out. The aircraft number on the fin was ‘marked in black whilst the command stripes were marked in the camouflage colours so as to contrast with whatever camouflage colour they were applied over. For example, where the bands crossed a Sand segment of camouflage, the bands were applied in Dark Green, ‘and where they crossed a Dark Green ‘segment of camouflage, the bands were applied in Sand, The ‘squadron badge Left Formation of P-36Cs of the 27th PS, ‘IstPG, (with PA 63 in the foreground), ali In Specification 14057-8 temporary paints Applied for camouflage trials In late 1933. ‘The eolours include White. 25, Sand 26, Dark Blue 29, Dark Green 30, Dark Olive Drab 31, Neutral Gray 32 and Black 33 Below Another P-36C finished in the Specification 14057-6 temporary paints, possibly in Dark Blue 29 uppersurfaces ‘Noutral Gray 32 undersurlaces with @ ‘of grey dividing the wo.remained on the fuselage sides, ‘apparently having the camouflage applied ‘around it. This badge consisted of a black and white bird of prey, (thought to be a hawk), with yellow talons and beak, ‘swooping to the attack superimposed on 2 fed background with a white surround. First of the P-40s Whilst the P-36A was entering service and taking part in the camouflage trials, Curtiss were working on improving the design. The late 1930s were a time of rapid advances in all areas of aircraft technology and Curtiss was looking to increase the potential of the basic Hawk 75 design to maintain its competite advantage. This was done by replacing the radial engine of the P-36 with an Alison inine engine, and the resulting design, the XP40, participated in an ‘Army Air Corps fighter competition held at Wright Field on 25 January 1939. after being judged the winner and following some modification, the P40. was Selected for production with orders for 524 being placed in April 1939, These early P-40s did nat have an official suffic designator, but have often been descrited as P-40-CUs to distinguish them from other variants, especially where the term 'P-40" is used to describe all variants of what later became known as the ‘Warhawk’ family The ‘CU" suffix was the Army Air Corps. designation for Curtiss. asa manufacturer, and 199 P-40-CUs (sic) were built before production switched to the P-40B and P-40C. The P-40-CUs were Gelivered between June and October 1940 and were allocated the Army of factory-fresh P-40-CUs in ‘Specification 14057-c bark Olive Drab 31 Uppersurfaces and” Neutral Gi lundersurfaces. Note how the Neutral Gr ‘sweeps up the rear fuselage sides to meet the leading edges of the talplanes. 4 Serials 39-156 to 39.220, 39.222 to 39- 289 and 40-292 to 40-357. Introduction of camouflage By the end of 1939 it would appear that the first tentative conclusions were being drawn from the camouflage trials which suggested that a dark alive green colour was most suitable for the uppersurfaces ‘and a medium grey colour was most Suitable for the undersurface colour. AS & result, with the war situation in Europe worsening, In the spring of 1940 the decision was taken to apply camouflage to P-80s on the production line. The colours used were taken from Specification 14057-¢ issued in December 1939 and were Dark Olive Drab 31 on the uppersurtaces and Neutral Gray 32 on the undersurfaces. All national and other markings remained the same for a short time but in May 1940, the GHQ designators were revised and the colouring was specified to be black on a light background and Yellow, (Shade No 4), on a dark ‘background. This led to P-40s having the designators on both sides of the fin and the uppersurface of the port mainplane Spocication 14087 Dark Olve Drab 31 ation 14057 ve Dra Uppersurtaces with Neutral Gray” 32 Undersurfaces. Note wi Foto Cal serial numbers ( {he ins, dating this photog applied in Yellow No 4 from Spec 34, apparently disregarding AN Orange Yellow. The propeller blades remained in natural metal with four lines of technical legend stencilled in black at the roots and the Curtiss Electric logo on the forward face of each blade. The P-AOCUs which received this initial camouflage scheme had the Neutral Gray undersurfaces swept up the fuselage sides to meet the leading edges of the tallplanes, however, by August 1940, it had been decided that this was of no benefit and In fact compromised the uppersurface camouflage. It was ‘therefore recommended that the practice bbe abandoned and that the Dark Olive Drab be extended along the rear fuselage tunder the tailplane. Camouflage finishes were to be seen ‘on many more aircraft in the future, as in May 1940, President Roosevelt asked ‘the House of Congress to authorise a massive expansion of both the American aircraft industry and armed forces to the {tune of building 50,000 aircraft a year! The scale of this request can be judged from the fact that this figure was ‘Substantially greater than all the aircraft flying in the United States at that time. Curtiss of course was only one of the beneficiaries of this expansion. The results of the Army Alr Corps camouflage trials were finally promulgated in Air Cops Specification 24114 ‘Camouflage Finishes for Aircraft’, introduced at the end of October 1940. This Specification heralded @ major cchange in the colour scheme applies to the P36 and P.40, and also introduced Air Corps Bulletin No 44 ‘Colour Card for Camouflage Finishes’ which promulgated the new matt colours for permanent camouflage paints. The Bulletin 41 colours were:- Dark Olive Drab No 41. Medium Green No 42 Neutral Gray No 43 Black No 44 Insignia Red No 45 Insignia White No 46 Insignia Blue No 47 Identification Yellow No 48,its original GHO grasa 16 20P on ry Wargame exercises, circa November 1941, So, the camouflage scheme specified at this time was Dark Olive Drab 41 on the uppersurfaces, and Neutral Gray 43, ‘on the undersurfaces, with the Dark Olive Drab on the rear fuselage sides extended under the tailplane. Where the upper and undersurfaces met, there was not to be a harc demarcation. but a soft one, with the two colours blending into one another. ‘At the same time as these new ‘camoufiage colours were introduced, the rational marking. requirements also changed. Only one ‘star in a disc’ marking, with a red centre spot, was now tebe carried, on the uppersurface of the Port wing and on the undersurface of the Starboard wing. The national insignia was also to be’ carried on both sides of the fuselage, to be positioned half way between’ the trailing edge of the rmainplanes and the leading edge of the tailplanes. The rudder stripes were deleted. The colours used in the national ‘markings were to be Insignia Red, White ‘and Blue from Bulletin 41. Other markings such as. aircraft designators and Squadron and Flight Command stripes remained essentially Unchanged. The only major change lay in the legend "U.S. ARMY’ which was stil to bbe applied across the undersurface of the mainplanes, but instead of being black, as on eafier P-40s, was now to be ‘applied in Insignia Blue 47. These appear to be the markings carried by the P-40B when they were delivered to the USAAF between January ‘and April 1941. The Amy allocated these aircraft the serial numbers 41-5205 to 445324, and 4113297 to 4113327. These aircraft were followed down the production line by the P-40C which had a revised fuel system and was plumbed to carry a centrally mounted underfuselage ‘rap tank. The P-40Cs were allocated the serials 41-13328 to 41-13520 and were elivered between March and May 1941. The P-40C appears to have been camouflaged and marked identically on ‘the production line to the P-408. Inservice markings underwent 2 change during April 1941, when the ‘colour of the aircraft designators on camouflaged aireraft were changed from Yellow No 4 to Black No 44 on the Uppersurfaces, and from black to Insignia, Blue 47 on the undersurfaces. During May 1941, instructions were given that propeller blades and hubs were to be camouflaged using Bulletin 41 Shade No {44 Black, Four inch wide yellow tips were ‘added from August 1941 using Bulletin 41 Shade No 48 Identification Yellow With the introduction of the black finish to the propeller blades, the four lines of stencilled technical legend ‘appear to have been printed in white on a black decal and then applied in the usual place. Close-up photographs of P-40s, lnder construction show that the black of the decal appears to have been slightly darker in hue to the black paint used on the propeller blades, and the small rectangular decals can often be clearly ‘seen. The Curtiss Electric logo continued to be applied in the usual place. Later production aircraft appear to have the technical legend stenciled directly onto the propeller blade, again in whit. The P-40B was the frst version of the Hawk family to serve overseas, when they were supplied to the squadrons of the 15th and 18th Pursult Groups based at Wheeler Field, Hawaii and the 20th Pursuit Squadron of the 2ath Pursuit Group at Clark Field in the Philippines. Deliveries of the POC allowed other overseas units of what, on 20 June 1940, had now become the United States Army Alr Force, (USAAF), (changing from United States Army Air Corps, (USAAC), to equip with the type. In August 1941, the original P40 Unit, the &th Pursuit Group, deployed its P-40Cs Into what might theoretically be described as a ‘war zone’ when they formed part of the American force which ‘occupied Iceland. ‘uly 1941 saw the now, USAAF, take delivery of the P-40D, of which only twenty-three were produced, making this ‘ype the smallest number made of any of the ‘Warhawk’ family. The type was distinguished by a number of new features such as a more powerful engine which led to differences in the shape of ‘the cowling, and the deletion of the two ose-mounted machine guns of the earlier versions. To rectify this loss in firepower, the four wing guns were increased in size to .50 inch calibre. The other noticeable change was in the cockpit structure which was modified to increase visibility. After the twenty-three P-40Ds, (which were allocated the serial rumbers 40-359 and 360; and 40-362 to 40-381), were built, production switched to the P-40E\ which was essentially identical to the P-40D except that the wing armament was increased to ‘sx .50 inch calibre machine guns. Deliveries of P-40Es began in August 1941 and continued through to May 1942. The serial numbers allocated to these aircraft were 40358 followed by 40.382 to 40-681, 41-5305 to 41.5744 ‘and 41-13521 to 41-36953. Up until December 1941, the POEs continued to be delivered to the USAAF camouflaged in Dark Olive Drab 41 and ‘Neutral Gray 43 with national markings in four positions and the ‘U.S. ARMY" legend in Insignia Blue under the wings. ‘After December 1941, the USAAF received P-40Es finished in British camouflage schemes, but marked with US national markings. The colour schemes of these aircraft will be dealt with in some detail later. The P4OES which served with the 20th Pursuit Group at Hamilton Field, Oakland, California, during the autumn of 1941 were finished in the standard USAAF camouflage of Dark Olive Drab 41 ‘and Neutral Gray 43. These aircraft are of particular interest because they carried temporary markings for exercise purposes. Thought to have been applied Left: An early delivery P-40E, 40-422, assigned to the 73th PS, 20th PG, based at Field California in’ 1941. ireraft were now finished in Bulletin 41. Dark Olive Drab 41 ‘uppers/Neutral Gray 43 unders, with the Rational insignia, (stl with the red centre) In four positions. Note the 79th PS unit badge in front of the fuselage star/dise. 5Right: Hawk 818.2, P.6109, 68" of the ard Pursuit ‘Squadron, American Voluntecr based at Rangoon, Burma in 1981 Originally intended for export to Britain, the AVG "aircraft were finished. in ‘equivalent RAF shades, manufactured by DuPont. of Dark Green 71-013 and Dank st markings: ‘above and below the wings circa November 1941, these markings Appear to have consisted of two types. The first type was a cross applied directly cover the fuselage national marking on both sides of the fuselage, and slightly inboard of the national markings applied to the mainplanes. The wing national markings appear to have been ‘temporanly painted out The second type was a “ting! which was painted around the national ‘markings on the fuselage and once again Inboard of the national markings applied to the mainplanes - however, on these P- 40s, the national markings were not painted out. Unfortunately it is impossible to’ say with any degree of certainty what colour these markings were. They would appear to have been a very light colour which is thought to have been some shade of yellow In addition to these markings, the P. 40Es of 7th Pursuit Squadron are known to have retained thelr squadron badge on the side of the fuselage and the yellow squadron designation band around the ‘nose. There are then two further points of interest. The first is the application of what appears to be @ Group badge in Unidentified colours on the rudder, and the second is the fact that these aircraft still have natural metal finished propeller blades. This throws open the question as to exactly when the ‘painted’ finish was Introduced to the Curtiss Electric blades, {and at what point in the production of the P.40 they began to be used. Photographs of P-40s in service are of litle use as a guide since provision was made in the (Order to introduce the new painted finish ‘on natural metal propellers already in American Volunteer Group Whilst some American fighter pilots were flying their P-40s in mock combat in the autumn of 1944, others were preparing to fly their P.40s in action against the Japanese. The American Volunteer Group, (AVG), which became immortalised as the “Fying Tigers’, was made up of three squadrons of ‘chili’ ‘exUnited States Army, Navy and Marine Corps pilots, flying as part of the Chinese Nationalist Air Force. Ever since the Boxer Rebellion in 1904, the United States had kept forces ln China to protect American interests there. With the onset of the Sino Japanese war in July 1937, a string of incidents where American interests were attacked by the Japanese did much to Right: An unidentified Hawk 814-2 of the AVG showing the distinctive ‘sharkmouth design on. the. nose and. Chine: Nationalist insignia under the wings. 6 inflame American public opinion which subsequently led to widespread public ‘support for China. ‘This American support for China was Feflected in the recruitment of the US Personnel for the AVG from amongst the Tanks of serving and recently discharged ‘American military pilots and ground staf, with the unofficial blessing of the ‘American government. Indeed, the ‘American people came to consider the AVG as a part of the US armed forces, Which is. why their alreraft have been Included in this particular volume Their equipment consisted of Curtiss Hawk 81.A2s, similar to the P-40C which hhad been built for export to Britain. AS these aircraft were orginally intended for use by the RAF, they had been finished at the factory in’an approximation of the ‘camouflage finish which was in service on RAF Day Fighters at that time, consisting of the Temperate Land ‘Scheme of Dark Green and Dark Earth on the uppersurfaces. with Sky Uundersurfaces. The colours used in the camouflage scheme applied by Curtiss were subtly different from tho RAF ‘colours however. It would appear that out of the several American paint manufacturing firms which were supplying aircraft paints, dopes, etc., Curtiss bought its finishing materials from DuPont, ‘At this time DuPont appears to have been manufacturing its own line of matt camouflage colours of which two, Dark Green 74.013, and Dark Earth 71009 fare sald to have been applied to the Uppersurfaces of Tomahawks built for Britain. Colour photographs appear to show these colours as being not unike those of Specification 14057-C which hhad been issued as the Standard for Temporary Camouflage ° Paints in December 1939, superseding the Spec 14057-8 issue of March 1938 mentioned previously. Dark Green 71- (013 appears to resemble Dark Green No 30 and Dark Earth 71-009 appears to resemble Rust Brown No 34. The undersurfaces which were supposed to be Sky were however, a light grey - possibly Light Gray 71-021 which hhas been described as ‘Sky Type Gray’ This confusing terminology appears. to have come about as a result of the chronology of the development of ‘camouflage colours for use on aircraft Undersides in prewar Britain. The frst of the colours developed in Britain for use fon the undersurfaces of day lying aircraft was Sky Grey which dates from December 1936. The second colour was called Sky Blue which dates from February 1939. Finally, there was Sky which dates from June 1940. The American aircraft industy as a whole ‘would probably have been informed of the existence of Sky Grey and Sky Blue before the outbreak of wa, in that order, and a near equivalent found However, the advent of a new colour just called Sky in the summer of 1940 ‘appears to have caused a great deal of confusion - even in Britain! AS late as December 1940, at least one RAF Maintenance Unit in Britain was apparently unaware of the existence of Shy, and Issued Sky Blue in'its place. It Is therefore not unreasonable to suppose that a similar communication problem might have existed in America from the summer of 1940 onwards, when Britain began to ask for the undersurfaces of day flying aircraft to be finished in Sky. TheRight: The mainplanes of an AVG Hawk 81 having "its" uppersurface camouflage Scheme applied in the Curtiss paint shop. Note the use of pre-cut masks resulting in fairly sharp colour demareations. American industries’ response, not just that of Curtiss, appears to have been to apply its equivalent colours of either Sky Grey or Sky Blue to the undersurfaces of aireraft being manufactured for Britain If Curtiss finished the Tomahawks supplied to the AVG with the DuPont equivalent of Sky Grey, this would explain why these aircraft are reported to have bbeen light grey underneath. The question remains as to exactly what shade of grey this might have been. At the time of writing, all that can be offered is a ‘best guess’ at something ike FS 595B 36463 Which Is the closest FS match for the original RAF Sky Grey These colours were applied to the aircraft in a pattern which was essentially the same.as the standard British “B' scheme pattern. To explain, when British alrcraft camouflage was being developed during the 1930s, the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Famborough devised ‘wo standard disruptive pattems for each class of airraft, one being called the ‘A’ Scheme and the other, the ‘B’ Scheme in effect miror images of each other. In order to simplify production, in early 1941, the Ministry of Aircraft Production requested British manufacturers to apply just one of these schemes, Most Brtish ‘manufacturers opted for the ‘A Scheme. It would seem however that Curtiss ‘opted for the ‘B' Scheme, as this is the pattern which appears in many hotographs of P-40s of all Marks wearing British style camouflage which were manufactured from 1941 onwards. Photographs taken at the Curtiss plant which show the RAF style disruptive patter being sprayed on to the wings of 2 P-40, shows pre-cut masks being used. This would almost certainly have led to the resulting pattem having ‘sharp’ ledges to the colour demarcation, and every aircraft being finished in a virtually Identical pattern The crated Tomahawks which were being supplied to the AVG had been shipped to Rangoon in May 1941. onwards, and from August through to November, they were assembled and ferried to’ the AVG training airfield at Toungoo. During assembly, the Tomahawks were glen an AVG serial umber on the fin in small white characters prefixed with the letter ‘P” (or Pursuit2). The serials themselves ranged ‘between 8100 and 8200. After artving at Toungoo, white identification numbers were added to the rear fuselage and repeated in a smaller size on the nose. Initial the thee AVG squadrons each used different ranges of these white identification numbers; the first squadron using 1-33: the second squadron using 34.67, and the third. squadron 6899, Unt midNoverber 1941, these were the only markings carried by the aircraft all the Bish national markings originally ‘applies at the Curtiss factory ving been painted out. It was therefore during the fast two weeks of November that Chinese rational markings, ‘squadron insignia, {and the well known ‘Sharkmouths” were ‘applied to the aircraft. The Chinese Rational markings were appiod outboard Of the paintedout RAF markings on the wings in the usual Chinese medium blue and white The squadron markings consisted of 2 single vertical band around the rear fuselage applied in white for the fist ‘squadron, medium blue for the second ‘squadron, and red for the third squadron In adaition to this, each squadron had @ rickname and its own ‘badge" ‘The first squadron was the ‘Adam and Eves’, their badge taking the form of a green apple entwined with a black snake fand placed on the fuselage near the traling edge of tre mainplanes. ‘The second squadron was the ‘Panda Bears’, their badge, not surprisingly, being 2 Panda Bear. It is thought that Comparatively few aircraft of the second squadron carried eny variation of this marking because the pilots were largely drawn’ from the US. Navy which traditionally frowned upon this sort of marking being applied to the aircraft. ‘The’ third squadron was known 93 Hells Angels, after a film about Fist World War aerial warfare, (not the Left: Not an AVG Hawk, despite, th ‘sharkmouth but a good example of the Undersurlaces of a USAAFopereted P40, probably from a training unit. during th fnarkings transition in late 1941. Note the alata Cis ARMY i the "port wing. Undersurfacos, my DuPont ti fverpainted areas in the later Neutral Gray 43 shade, 7Base coe I motoreyclists - they came later), and their badge consisted of an Angel ‘applied in red and white. it would appear that the Angel was different on every aircraft. Besides this marking, the third squadron also carried a. ‘pinwheel’ design on the wheel hubs which was hhanded for port and starboard in the ‘three squadron colours. It is. thought that. the sharkmouth ‘marking was inspired by the Tigershark, hich is presumably the origin of the AVG nickname ‘The Fiying Tigers’ which was coined by a newspaper article published In China sometime around the end of January 1942. The sharkmouth could vary from one aircraft to another, but the most common design is said to have featured black lips, white teeth, a red tongue, and eyes made up of a white teardrop on which was superimposed a Ted disk to serve as the pupil. Radlo Call Numbers Whilst the AVG was preparing its Tomahawks for combat, in October 1941 the USAAF dropped its. long standing Airraft Designator numbers and replaced them with Radio Call Numbers at the suggestion of the Air Corps Inspection Division. The Radio Call Number was made up of the last two digits of the fiscal year in which the aircraft was paid for, followed by the aircraft's serial ‘number. Often however, only the last digit of the year and the serial number, or even only the serial number was applied. On camouflaged aircraft such as the P-40, Black 44, or Identification Yellow 48, ‘from Bulletin 41, was to be used. This \was the final alteration made to USAAF aircraft markings prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. December 1941 saw Curtiss begin to deliver the first P-0E-1S to a USAAF ‘order which was intended to be delivered to Britain under LendLease. These were ‘almost identical to the initial production P.40E except for provision for bombs to be carried underneath the wings. Because they were intended for delivery Right: A P-40C of the 78th PS, 15th PG based at Bellows Field Haw: ff the attack on. P December 1981 including GH designator ‘on the fin, Pointed-out red eenties on the fuselage Rational insignia, but still on the underside ‘one, and large wihite fuselage numerals, 8 the POEs received British styie camouflage. ‘Once again the uppersurtaces appear to have been finished in the green and brown colours which appear to resemble Dark Green No 30 and Rust Brown No 34, However these altcraft appear to ‘to Britain, all have had. their undersurfaces, and spinners, finished in a light blue ‘colour Which might have been Spec 14057.¢ Light Blue 27. Allocated the USAAF serial numbers 41-24766 to 41.2519 and 41 35874 to 41.36953, the P4OE-1s were delivered between December 1941 and May 1942. Many of these aircraft did go to Britain as originally planned, but others ‘saw service with the USAAF as their delivery to Britain was overtaken by ‘events in the Far East. ‘America enters World War Two ‘At the start of December 1941, the Hawalian Istands were home to the 46th ‘and 47th Pursuit Squadrons of the 15th Pursuit Group, equipped with P-36As and P-40Bs, at Wheeler Field which they shared with the P4OBs of 6th, 19th, 73rd. and 78th Pursuit Squadrons of the 48th Pursuit Group. The P-40B/Cs of 44th Pursuit Squadron of the 18th Pursuit Group were based at Bellows Field. By this time the standard USAAF Camouflage finish of Dark Olve Drab 41 and Neutral Gray 43 was well established, but there appears to have been some variety in the national and other markings carried by the airerat. The P.36As were camouflaged, but it Is not known for certain in exactly which shade of Dark Olive Drab and Neutral Gray. If the facts that the alrcraft were originally delivered in a natural metal finish and were therefore camouflaged ‘in service’, and the way that the undersurface colour swept up the 1941, Note ‘the Radio Call Number across the fin and Introduced in October. 1981, ‘dentifeation Yellow 48, and inted red centre to the stat and disc national marking on the fuselage. fuselage to meet the leading and trailing ledges of the tailplanes are taken into account, it might be reasonable assumption that the aircraft had been ‘camouflaged early in 1940 with the interim Specification 14087-A Dark Olive Drab 31 and Neutral Gray 32 shades. This hypothesis is lent credibility by the Continued presence of the ‘star in a disc’ national marking in ail six poeitione on ‘some aircraft. Four P-36As of the 47th PS managed to get into the air about an hour after the first Japanese attack, where three were Credited with destroying one Japanese aircraft each and thus were the first USAAF ‘kills’ of the war. The fourth P-36A had its guns jam. This action marked the first and last combat for the P-36A with the USAAF. Subsequently, the P-36 was Used as a training aircraft. The P-408s and P-40Cs appear to have been finished in the Bulletin 44 shades of Dark Olive Drab 41. and Neutral Gray 43, with the Dark Olive Drab ‘extended along the rear fuselage under the tallplanes. National markings ‘consisted of the ‘star in a disc’ with a red Centre dot in the four usual positions. Other markings consisted of the legend U.S. ARMY" under the wings, in black of blue, with the Aircraft Designators on both’ sides of the talfin and on top of the Port wing in black and under the port wing, in black or blue. Both black and natural metal propeller blades were fitted to various aircraft. Some aircraft were also ‘marked with large white ‘Plane in Group’ ‘numbers. on the fuselage which were applied in a stenciled style with the comers cut off at 45 degrees, Some of the P-40BS of the 47th PS had been deployed to Halewia auxiliary field, from where three P-40s managed to take to the air. Although failing to meet the enemy on the fist Sorte, the aircraft managed to engage Japanese aircraft on two subsequent sorties and were Credited with destroying niné Japanese aircraft between ther. ‘The Philippines By the start of hostilities in the Pacific, approximately seventyfour P-40ES had been delivered to the Philippines for theRight: Line-up of P-40Es of the 23rd Fighter Group" the Fiying Tigers which original AVG numbering sequence. Use of the 24th Pursuit Group made up of the 3rd, 17th 20th, 21st, and 34th Pursuit Squadrons. Photographs of the 20th PS taken at Manila in the last days ‘of peace, show them to be similarly finished to the P-40s in Hawai. The Uppersurfaces were Dark Olive Drab 41 with Neutral Gray 43 undersurfaces. The star in a disc’ with a red contre spot ‘appeared in all six positions and a small black number, possibly denoting the rhumber of the’ aircraft within the Group, \was applied in black at the top of the fin Propeller biades were natural metal ‘As in other places, the initial Japanese attack came by surprise and ‘many of these aircraft were destroyed on. the ground. The exception was the 3rd Pursuit Squadron, which was caught Circling and about to land at Iba, and lost all but two of their aircraft when they were ‘jumped’ by the Japanese. Over the next few days the 24th PG was in constant action as Japanese forces began their invasion of the Philippines. It was during this early fighting that the P-40 gave the USAAF its first ‘ace’, but cut off from supplies with a large’ portion of the US Pacific Fleet at the bottom of Pearl Harbor, the US forces in the Philippines ‘were fighting against impossible odds. By the end of December there were fewer than twenty serviceable P-40s left. The few aircraft which could be kept flying were eventually concentrated on Bataan and in northem Mindanao until the final US surrender in the Philippines with the fall of Corregidor on 6 May 1942. Flying Tigers in Burma Immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the AVG moved to Kunming at the eastern end of the Burma Road where the Group was split up, with the ‘Hells Angels’ being detailed. to Mingaladon, Rangoon to reinforce No 67 Sqn RAF and its outdated Buffaloes. It fell to the ‘Adam and Eves’ and ‘Panda Bears’ to fly the first AVG combat sortie on 20 December from Kunming, destroying six ‘out of ten” Ki21 bombers. The ‘Hells ‘Angels’ went into action forthe fist time just three days later, claiming ten Japanese aireraft destroyed for the loss Of three aircraft and two pilots, The name ‘The Fiying Tigers’ coined by the newspaper article published in China sometime around the end of January 1942, seems to have caught the public imagination, especially in the United States. Such was the impact that the ‘Flying Tigers’ made in the US, that ‘the Walt Disney Studios designed and Right: Close-up of the ‘Fying Tiger’ decal ‘On the fusclage side of @ 25rd FG P-40E, which ‘appears, be. a two-tone Uppersurface scheme possibly consist ‘of Specification 14057 Dark Green 30 an Rust Brown 34 ‘produced decals showing a caricature of fa Flying Tiger which were despatched to the AVG for application on its P-40s, during March/April 1942. These decals were ‘handed’ so that the Tier was always leaping forwards irespective of Which side of the fuselage it was applied to. Generally speaking, the Tigers were applied to the centre of the fuselage in front of any other markings which might be carried. After application, a coat of ‘lossy varnish was applied to make sure that the decals did not pee! off In March 1942, the AVG began to receive more up to date equipment in the shape of thirty or so P-40ESs. These were flown in ‘over the hump" having been ferried across the Atlantic to West Africa by Sea and then flown via India. These aircraft were originally intended for service in Java, but were diverted when the Dutch East Indies fell to the Japanese, ‘These P-40Es are thought to have arrived in China stil carying their USAAF Dark Olive Drab 44 and Neutral Gray 43 camouflage with USAAF markings. The US national markings were then foverpainted with Chinese national ‘markings on the wings, whilst those on the fuselage were painted out. During the flight across Africa and up the "Takoradi route’ the rear fuselage spines and the uppersurfaces of the tallplanes were finished in white distemper materials to help the aircraft stand out in the desert should they have to make a forced landing for any reason. Later deliveries of P-40E-1s to the AVG appear to have been finished in the British Temperate Land Scheme equivalent colours, described ‘earlier, on their uppersurfaces, and light Ba on = Bs blue on the undersurfaces. This light blue colour has been described as being a ‘pastel blue’ shade. It seems likely that this would have been ‘an American equivalent to the RAF colour ‘Sky Blue mentioned previously, although It is possible that when faced with the task of finding an equivalent for this, colour, the American paint industry simply chose a pale blue which was readily available and supplied that to the aircraft manufacturers. Perhaps the most likely colour to be selected was the ‘Specification 14057 colour Light Blue No 27, which is thought to be the closest ‘colour to Sky Blue to appear in any US ‘Army colour standard available at that time. The enty of the United States into ‘the war complicated the situation in China by bringing American servicemen into the Theatre. Amongst these was Ly/Gen Joseph (‘Vinegar Joe’) Sttwel who did not see eyetoeye with Claire Chennautt, the Commander of the Fying Tigers, over the amount of scarce resources that should be allocated to the AVG. This bad feeling even extended down to the pilots, so that when their contracts with the Chinese government fended in July 1942, most elected to return to the United States rather than ‘serve under Stivell. ‘AS a result, in order to stop the collapse of Allied air power in the region, the USAAF was forced to rush a number of USAAF pilots there, which became. the ‘23rd Fighter Group, (74th, 75th, and 76th FS), within the China Air Task Force, and which fought with great distinction until the fend of the war using P-40Es and P-40Ks, continued an page 46Curtis P68 PA 90"of he Stn Pursuit Squadron, tt Pursuit Group, 1940 vert rare meta ish wth mat ronze Seon arr pre, {Sa Dealgntr PA9D onto ses othe in ar above a Det the pot ‘tog. Sou nan wats head Stodon mot on faclage P. ‘abe rcagiton ses US Se back wncurcah be Imanpares, Nee ed cong ng | curtss p98 PA 9’ of the 9th Pursuit Squadron, tat Pursuit Group, 1940, | Overall natural metal nih wth matt Bronze Green art-glae panel [GHA Desgnator PA at Ges of e fr and above and bow the port wing us numeral 91 onthe des. Sou nsian warrar's head Squadton oi on fuselage ses. Sarin Sipes US ARNIY ‘ed band onthe rear fssiage Curtiss .36A°PR 1 ofthe 18m Pursuit Squadron, t3t Pursuit Group, 19 Below the port ing. 1h Pusu Squadron ces on the fuselage sides Star ‘edihite and blue recognition siripes. "U.S. ARMY" in black undemeath the mainplanes. The rear Rsslge and engine cowing ae pated withthe Saucon Commanders tue, yellow and red command stipes on wat appears be a gol ear iselage and cowing Dockgrond eotour ‘Curtiss P-364 PT 30" ofthe 79m Pursuit Squadron, 20th Pursuit Group, 1940 (Overal natura metal fish. GHA Designtor PT 30 above and below te port wing. 72h Pursut Squadron crest on te fuselage sides. Star inacccocardes with ed cntes, || above and below both mainplanes and the rudder has the pre-war rediwht and Die Tecognion stipes. U.S. ARMY i Black underneath he manpanes, PT Yelow coulng and Fight leader's agonal yellow band 50 onthe rear ulage. Curtiss P-364 PT 08’ of the sth Pursuit Squadron, 20th Pursuit Group, 1940 ‘Overt natural metal ish. CHO Designter PT 8 above snd Boom te por wing 8th Pret Squadron crest on olga aides. Stain adic cocardes wih red cenros above and tei both maples and the der haste pre-war realwhe, Snderneat the manplnes. Ske coving and ‘ack Fight leader's agora band onthe rear tege, et 10Cunties .36A 2’ ofthe 27% Pursuit Squadron, Selftidge Fel, 1939. Sins BA was painted nthe Specticalon 14087-8 walecbasod lemporerycamoutage pan. Class Ground! scheme, of White 25, Sand 26, Dark Ole Drab 31 and Dark Gree 30, for he USAAG Camoufage Tala and depiayed a the National Ar Races at Cleveland, vo 4898, Numeral 52 on boty de of heb wth in whtenatral metal) oxtine and 27% Pursuk Squason crest on the aeage sides, NLS Danted-ove rear oxo glazing panels ‘Curtiss P-26C ‘52 of tho 27h Pursuit Squadron, Setidge Field, 1930, Sond 25 and Dark Sve Drab 31. Numeral 82 on Suacon crest on the Rseige sides Curtiss P-36¢ ‘67 ofthe 27th Pursuit Squadron, Selidge Field, 1938, Tins P-36C alo tok part inthe Nahonal At Races a Cleveland.n 1938 ‘Tid was panted nthe Specieaion 14037-8 water tesod empora Camoutage pant of White 25, Sand 26, Dark Ove Orb 3, Dark Green| SO and Rust Brown 34, Numeral 87 on both Sauason crest on the useage ses Note te ear cocks lazing panels Curtiss XP-260, Boling Field Exposition, January 1040 io XP-260 was pained inthe Spactioton 4087-8 ‘ratr based temporary camoufage pant 1 Sand 26, Ove Drab 31, Dark Green 30 an Rust Brown 38, th fn oko shade of ight blue an the undorade and urpanted cockat Curtiss P-26€ of an unknown Group, circa late 1940, Posi Dax Blue 29 over Noval Gry 43 whan application of ghter grey shade, (outa Gray 337 along the fuselage ses separating the two and roducing the fle! af avery high demarcation Ine. Stan a ac cocardes wih red certs ‘above and below bath mangle and {US ARMY” in Black undemeaty te ‘mainlanes, No oer makings. Not FrCurtiss xP-268, 1940, Tho prototype PSEC was deslgnated XP-268 and wore a temporary camowlage Scheme, mest probably using water-based paints in Dak lie, Dark Green, Olve Drab "mainplanes and pro-war redwittbue rudoer stipes. US. ARMY in toned down “ Curtiss 360 1 36P ofthe 36th Training Group, Langley Fel, 1940. (vera ratral metal ish, GHO Designate S6Pon both sees ofthe in oly Starn a disc coceres with red corres above and below both manpanes andthe [ARMY in black undereath the mainglanes. The engine 1 Coning has wer yeon ashes 36P Curtiss P.36A27 29MM ofthe 23rd Compost Montgomery, Alabama, 1940, Dark Ov Drab uppersrtaces over Neural Gray undersrfaces applied directly over ‘he ongnal natural metal nish. A considerable amount cf pat upping is apparent ‘on ts aera, expoeng the natural mell fish of much ef the coving land foward fuselage. CHO Desgnator 27 23MM the radaor has the eer Group, Maxwell Fie Curtiss 366 1 8193'of an unknown Group, ica 194041, Dark Ove Drab uppersurtaces over Newt Gay uncesuacc, ‘GH Denignator or Rao Cal serialnumber £8199’ on bot sides af the fn nylon Stan dis cocardes wh tenires above and below both Curtiss P36 481586 of wa dat Pursult Squadron, Hawa, 7Decomber 194. vert rte met nh that rence Grech alr pre {hia Desgntr 4 1" on ton ses he an! ae oe blow he po wr Numeral 80 on lage ses, Starnes wi ed oes abo an Signe US ARO Sock cena be lal mangas. The PA was how by amc are me —_-__ BE tamper cn one fe SRA srt ns of 2‘ak Otte Bra uppesuraces wth Neal Gray undersurfaces- note the ‘sigh demarcation under the teipanes, Numeral £2 in black on both sides of the fi lar ina dsecocares with ed cntes above ond Curtiss P-0.CU 17 38P'of the 33rd Pursuit Squadron, 194% Bark Ove Drab upperuaces wth Nauta Gry undersiaces- ote the ‘curved’ demarcation sweeping up tothe leading edge of he taplanes a feature of intl producion P-40-CUs. GHO Deaigator'17 36" on bath ides ofthe finn lack, Sarin ase coardes swith ed centes above the pot wing and below a Drab. U.S. ARMY” in black undemeath the mainplanes. This P-40 Slantyng that twas asigne to 2 Z Svacron Commander Navona ia was now regulary boing Plc on he uaiage ee Curtis P-408. 48 20°" ofthe 77th Pursuit Squadron, 1941, ‘ak Ove Drab uppersuraces wih Neural Gray undersurface note the ‘slght demarcation under ns, GH Desgnatr 48 20° on bt) sides he fn yotow wih 48 ropoated on nose. Star ina dsc res wih eo centres above and below bom manplanes oly. US. ARMY in black underneath De ‘manglanes Te pleying card emblem ofthe 77 Porsul Squadton on Kslaye sides. Note Ylow spinner Ccurtee P40-CU ‘21 8 of the 38th Pursuit Squadron, 194. Bark Otve Drab uopersuraces with Neural Gray undersurfaces- rte the ‘carves demarcation sweeping up tothe leading edge of th talanes “feature of ital producton P-40-CUs. GHO Desgnator'21 BP on both | ‘Ses cn rin yellow. 35hn PS emblem retaned on Keasage ies. Str na sc cocarees wi red centres Shove and below both manplaes and vedvtellue rudder stipes. ‘US. ARMY m black undereath the ‘Curtis P-40-CU 99 20°" ofthe Stn Pursuit Squadron, 1961 Dark Ove Dab upperaurtsce wth Neveal Gray undesuraces note te ‘curved demarcation sweeting up to erasing edge of he tapanes, GH Desgnaor 90 20°” on both sides af the fa nylon wit 53 repeated on nose 38th PS emi eained on fuselage sides. Stra dic cocardes wi red ‘entes above and below both mainpanes and rehire the mainlanes. Note the white spinner:[ Cuties P40-CU ‘51 21PG' of the 31st Pursuit Group 1941, Designator has a G after the 31P.and the Curtiss P4n-cU 21 Poth 3500 Pursuit Squssrn, Dark ‘cay undersutaces noe the curved demar Yotow 380 73. esis. Sorina dec cocardes wi) ‘Curtiss -40-CU ‘80 6P of the 36th Pursuit Squadron, 1941 ‘weer the leading edge of te tapes. GHA Designator 80 BP on both yoton ren retained on Kaige ne, Slr. dn cars nth Curtiss 408 319 ofthe 78th Pursuit Squadron, 15th Purslt Group, Bellows Fle, Hawa talplanes. GHO Designator 7? 15P on both sides ofthe fin in black patil pe This 408 ie usted 9 t SS ‘Curtiss P-40-CU 337 based at Bellows Field, Hawa, 7 December 1941, Dark Oove Drab urpersutaces with Neva surfaces nce the sigh demarcation u the taplanes. GH Designate overpaid on toh sides ofthe fn Wate stance. Pane sn Group segan iow scar ay, ad on a nlp ‘verpaited in Oive Drab US. ARMY in ack underneath he {na damaged wagtp and rear coakpt decking. 14Curtiss P40-CU ‘316 based at Bolows File, Hawa, Dark Otve Drab uppersuraces with Neural Gray Undersuraces = ate the sgh demarcation onde the taiplanes, GHO Designer 27 15 paral overpaint ‘noth sides of he fn White stant: Plana sn eoup number 3 onthe fuolage sides. Sarina de ‘ocardes, sl with red antes above port wing and Setow te strboars wing, and o tho fuselage Hide. Redwhtebue rudder sipes Freshly overpaid Olive Drab” US. ARMY in lack underneath the maesanes, This di hata rom a we-Anown photograph {aken ust after he Pear Harbor atack ms which t sustained extensive damane 15Curtiss Hawk H81A-219'of the t3t Squadron AVG, prior to becoming the TAth Fighter Sunron Za Fner Grou uy 1942 Rangoon, Buma 1944ats He HBA P86 A of te eh Fighter Saadon jor Group, flown by 11 Thomas R Smith, Kunming Tan, and he scored he squadrons Fest ka in his wx AVG. aeration 8 Septerber 1842, 18Curtiss P40, '30 20°’ ofthe 79th Pursuit Squadron, 20th Pursuit Group, 194, Dar (Curtiss -40€, 16 20" of 20m Pursuit Group, 104, Dark Ove Drab uppersuraces wih Net the inn lsck. Starn a disc cocardes ‘maiplanes lasted fo P-AUE above.‘ thon the Curtiss P-40E ‘4’ of tho Bth Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, Darwin, Australie 1982, wn by 2Lt Jim Morehead ark Oive Drab uppesu 0 was det Cutis P06 94’ of tho Bt Fighter Squsdron, 4th Fighter Group, Darwin, Australia 1942, own by LI Bo Vaught Dark Olve Drab uppersutacos mit Ne ndersurtaces, White star a Due ac cocardes above he port land below he starboard wing aon the White FFG Ps. Some were even fown witeut fuselage ins, and tislagecocardes opp at Dew “Boss Rosin CumtissP-40€ ofthe 7th Fighter Squadron, 48h Fighter Group, Darwin, Australie 1942, flown by Lt Don Le. Dark Otve rab uppersuraces with Neural Gray under ite starin le ds cocardes above the ie LT.DON LEE JR 20Curtiss P-40€ “4 the 8th Fight Squadron, 491 Fighter Group, Swauss Feld, Australia 1842, own by 2Lt Monty Eisenberg Dark Obve Drab uppersrtaes wth Nowwal Gray un fond be ‘Curtiss P-40E ‘6’ of the Sth Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, Darwin, Austr {George E Pred Sb uppersutaces wth Naural Gray undersurface. Numeral '8! on tor arin, lve a wie stn 8 Gc cocardes above port and blow oncoming sides, Ccutiss P-40€ '36'of the Tih Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, Darwin, Australia 1942, own by ray undersides, ue and wht stan a se cocardes above Jo, Sse numeral 36 on bah aes fhe 2 curtis P-406 15 of 7th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, Darwin, Australia 1942, flown by TIL Edgar al AES nara tv be uP Ont uu so Gow erate cus ot Nea Oy gi Curtiss P-40E ‘Maybelle ofthe 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, Darwin, Australia, summer {342 flown by Lt Charis C Johnson. 2422 ‘Cutis P-40E, E1795, 85 ofthe Sth Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, Darwin, Australia 1942, own by J Clay Tee Jr Curtiss P-40€, E7603, 66 ofthe 9h Fightor Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, Darwin, Australia 1942, flown by Andrew Reynolds Curtis P-40E, £1735, 71 ofthe 9th Fighter Squadron, 46th Fighter Group, Darwin, Australia, 1942, flown, scheme Ops Exec. EI BILL DAY JR|40, ought o have been frist Scheme enourequvalets of Dark Earth and Dark Groen upprsut fther DuPont ight Gray 7-021 or Spec 1€087 Light Bloe under JG numbering sequence the Beh Tempera Ccurtes P-40e, 41-1456, “7 of the 2d Fighter Group, Burma 1942 flown by Col Robert L Scot. In 1842 the AVG became ncorparatd ino the USAAF asthe 238 Fighter Group. Leading hs Group tras Col Robe Soot whose Pe i stated hee wh five ile and fished in Dark Ove rab ‘below the starboard wing - none on fuselage sides. White 7 on fuselage ses with mocted Wat Disney Studo desgned Fing Tiger decal. Thee kil markings appeared under Curtis P-40€ 38 ofthe 16th Fight Squadron, 234 Fighter Group. China 1842. ‘Tas POE probabiyhad he ust Brown 34 and Dark Green 30 uppersuaces over Nowa Gray ‘nas st visible nder th wings. Numeral 38 on bo sides ofthe fuselage hie ‘Blue and whe str in ac cocardes above pot and ‘tselge sides. Note te ude artwork! Curtiss PDE, ofan Unidentified Group circa 1942 ‘Athough the upperertace camouflage pater of hs POE ix Serta! to that on Katyhawks dalvered to the RAF, he colour ae thought to Be Medium Green 42 and Sand 26 uppers ‘ver an inidonied paste ue shade (Spec 14057 Light Blue 27). Star na dsc cards, sl wih ed cerve, above pon Sidon he useage ses, US.” : Curtiss P-40E 41 (Rado Call Number unknown), possibly ofa US-based Training Unit, circa 1942. Tihs PDE probably trom Taning Unt based nthe USA, appears fo have the Dak Green SO Rust Brown 34 parece colours which were tne DuPont equivalents a he RAF s Dark Groon and Dark Eat, over Neutral Grey undersides. We arn blue ge covardes above the port and below the starboard wing and on he useage sides. The nna pho fom wich this Shon te wrote Rado Cal Number 2324 Curtiss P-40€ 40-585, of th ttt Fighter Squadron, 43rd Fighter Group, Adak, Alaska, September 1942 Dark Olve rab uppersurtacos with Noval Gray undersuracoe Last three of te Rac Cal Nera, 885, on | Cenires on the fuselage sidos. U.S, ARMY’ legend under the mainplanes in black White Theale bands around (ive Drab at some point and hed he 11% FS badge applied Also noe the thicker than ural white Theatre Curtiss P40E 76, ofthe 18h Fighter Squadron, 24rd Fighter Group, Alexi Point Feld, Adak Islands ‘Aleutian Islands, 942 Dark Ove Drab uppersiataces with Netra Gray undersurfaces. Numeral'76'on both ses of he fn yaw Bue and whtestarin adic cocardes above pot and teow sarboure maiglanes land onthe fuselage sides. "U'S. ARMY lagend under the manpanes in lack ne "Theave markings onthe rude. ‘ ‘Curtiss P-40E 40.589" of the 44th Fighter Squadron, 24rd Fighter Group, Al Pacific 1943, lown by Wolf inner ‘Dak Oive Drab upperuraces wih Neul ray undersuaces. and beow the starboard wing and the fuselage sides Yalow Rado © Curtiss .40€, £7801, ‘Texas Longhorn’ ofthe th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fightr Group, Rorona, New Guinea 1942, own by Lt John Landers be the Dark Earth and Dark Groen equivalents of Rut Brown 34Dark Green 30 uppersuraces, over Light Ble 27 undersutaces. Bue and whte star na ac cocardes above por and ‘useloge sides. Note RAF cerial EEO fve is’ and “eras at and bar national insignia above the pot EVA MAE - Cris F-40616 of te 70 Fgh Saundon 4h Fighter Grup, 14, own by Lt Cyd V Kise ‘Typhoon McGoon’ above and below the ef 16 i ge = _Cuties 40, 42-10857 x9, ofthe Btn Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group, Capodiching Airla, tay anuary 1948, own by Ut Michael Mauri #77068 ang hse Stone 77-068 upperssfaces wih Azur Blue DuPont colours of B 71-062 undersrtaces Yellow, nthe fue standard postions the one aoe the ot wing with ow the starboard wing wath able otines white Red spinner ana RAF sty Fe fash ovr whic tw ‘sarin blue disc cocardes. thy uted in gaa Ti P40 had o ich due to sabotage and was raves ‘rom the sea at Capo Porter, fot sour years at! now resides nis ongnal sat at te Bato of Az Museum at Psa dale Orme, ay Note te overpainied codes 2x2 Uundemeath the newer odes andthe stange mix of national ns sves ‘especialy under the starboard wing Aso ote how the RAF ste Nash has hed the fod and blue colours transposed and that is POL has revere back fo he SiC T2Tmm wing machine gun option 27Curtiss P40, 4114589, x75 of he 67th Fightor Squadron, 79th Fighter Group, North Afi 1943. This PDF has the same uppersurface colour scheme ae te ara prevovlyMusrte, but the Ou Pont ‘Azure Bue undersurtaces appear o have been replaced wi a Igor tue, posi Light Bh 27 Star na bue dis cocardes above the port and below the strboar wing and on the faseago ss. ‘Wht codes note small - Re sinner Last eso! the Ras Call Number in yeom on de, (opposite ste probaly reas 14) Red spinner Note the Azure Ble pt lundomeath he exhaust manfods which was probably wating rose a and the RAF sa flan nh 2 Sapte shade of 8 than Curtiss P40, 44 of the 68th Fightr Squadron, 67th Fighter Group, North Arca, 1943, Sand 26 uppersufaces over Azure lue undersaes Wine sarin a Dus ac cocardes above the port {and below the starboard wing and onthe fuselage sides Whe codes 4¥4 on fseage, 4 ‘epeated oncoming sides RAF si nash, Ped spinner wih Due i i and), and ea fontard owing wim. Une @ ‘Bun medion tue below exraust manos. Note eal ff | et at i tet ieee endgeenk peice 866 Soca! “4 om An ame Curtiss P-40F,12'of 7th Fighter Group, aboard USS Ranger: crea July 1943. Sand 26, or possbiy AN Artal Cream) upprsrtaces over Neural Gray or Azure Ble) undersides We sarin tue dic cocardes, above he pot and below the sarbard wing and onthe fselage Side. Ths short rear fuselage P-1OF may have ben given an aplcaton of Sand (or eam) at unt loal over he onigial etry applied Dark iva Grab 41, Note he pao ce on the ruse te es "2 and do in black unde he exhaust mals, and how the undersurface colour sweeps oe Ly Curtiss P-40F, Sof the €5th Fighter Squadron, 87th Fighter Group, North Arca, 1843. Sand 26, (or possibly AN Arcra ream) uppersctaces ovr Neural Gray fr Raw Bie) Lunderses = simiar othe P-40 inthe above lutration, Wins star in a blo disc cocades, above the prt and teow te starboaré wing and onthe fuselage ses al thinly ‘uted in yelow. Th back outine Yo the wie codes. Note te lst tree of the Rac Cal Number (114802) im clack on he tute he fete 4 rumors probably ‘ bec bythe RAF i ‘of ah| Curtiss P40, 4.14378 of the 3rd Fighter Group lown off the USS Ranger, for ‘Operation Torch, North Africa 1948, Ths POF was pray painted in the US equivalent DuPont clous of Dak Ear 71-065 and Middle Stone 11-009, Upporsustaces wih Azure Bue 7-062 undesuraces. Wha sar na blue ac cacarden. thy ound in yellow above he port and below the starboard wing ang onthe stage sides. Youow Rado Call Number, T4378, across and Note th US tag (whch ony haa 8 stare which wa te atta ie) to ha inthe recogsion of US aera by Ad Woops, ‘Curtiss P-40F,41-14596 10° ofthe 64th Fighter Squadron, Sh Fighter Group, North Afi 1943, Dark Earth 71-085 ana Na Stone 71-069 uppersrtaces win Azure Blue 7-082 underauraces, Str and bar naoral insignia outined in Bue, above te porta blow te starboard wing and on he {esolge side. Yalow Radio Call Number, 4596, across tn and rudder a partaty aeons RAF tle fash. inte 10 wth lack oti, red spinner th FS Block dimensions of he sar and bar atonal signa, and the Dark Olve Orb Curtiss P-40L,42-10668°70' ofthe 316th Fighter Squadron, 224% Fighter Group, Foggia Main, ay, Dark Ere 71-065 and Mid Stone 71-059 uppersuraces wih Azure Biv 71-062 undersuaces Sar and bar national insignia outined in ive, above he ort and blow he iaroard wing and onthe fuselage ses, Yalow Rado Cal Number Whito 70. Red spinner Note to large areas of ‘verpanting onthe fuselage, tana udder Curtiss P-40F, ‘KK’ of an unidentified unt, aly 1949. ‘This P-10F appears fo have been supped back 'o vera natura metal. Star and bar naons Insgna outinedn blue, above the prt and blow te slarboard wing and on re fselage ses. Red trim around the exaust manfas. Sylsed red KK Teterg lack spaner Note the early sive prewar redwhteue markings on the rasdor (== KR = Curtiss P-40F, 114772, ofthe 325th Fighter Group, 1943, flown by Maj HH Gre Dark Ove Drab uppersuraces wih Medium Green spltcing, ove Neural Gray undersides Cnignal white star a lve sc cocards above the port and below te starboat wing and on the fuselage sides, have aastcnal white bars -all one in yon. The start of tre Rado Cal Number, Tin yellow, aroes the fn ony, Possiy a panied or eta of he emblom cannot be propery ‘Sscemed unforratey FeT)Curtiss P40K, “3 of the 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, Mil Field, Port Moresby, Australia, (October 1943, town by Lt AT House P-A0E-1, 4.96804 1 ofa US-based cr) four bands tage ‘and belon the starbos Rode Cal Number 2 | Curtis P-40K, 4210349 of # US-based Training Unit, ica 194, 32Carts P4061 tn 7h gr Squadron 2d Fgh rou, hig ig 1, own by he | Squadron CO, Mal Grant Mahony | ‘Dark Otve Drab uppersurfaces, (possibly wth Medium Green ‘spoiching), with Neural Gray undersurtaces, , Westar a blue dee cocardes above the prt and beam te starboard wing, bt painted over onthe fselage sides White numerals on Raseloge side with Wal ney Stato ying ———— was he 73's unique Squadron Commare recognition making Curtiss P-40K, 15’ ofthe 76th Fighter Squadron, 2d Fighter Group, China, summer 1943, flown by Dark Ove Drab unpersustaces, (possibly wth Mesum Groen spotchng), with Neutral Gray undersurtaces fuselage sides. White numerals on fuselage side. White, red and biack sharkimouth, Rado Cat Number on fru overpartod. Dem Buns was named afer freokyn Dodger. Lunes beoved mission of WW I Eis == ‘Curtiss P-40K, 82 of the 26t Fighter Squadron, Stet Fighter Group, India, summer 1843, flown by {Capt Charles H Colwe SuPont Dart Green SORust Brown 34 uppersufaces over Neural Gray undersides. White sarin abe ise Stars av efor hel stow wn and hn Kano. ter ee on bo ies which tod for Fay legen sil eoss the wing cndersrfaces even a sage Curtiss -40K, 36" of 16h Fighter Squadron, Sts Fighter Group, China, spring 1944, flown by Capt Roy J Brown DuPont Bark Green 30/Rust Brown 34 uppersurfaces over Neral Gay undersides. Star and bar rational Irigna above te port and below the starboard weg an onthe useage sees ‘Numeral 56 in whe on fin '366' also sported an unusual large sharknout, ‘areas onthe talpane and rudder probably abecsing the rao cll Curtiss P-40K, 171 ofthe 75h Fighter Squadron, 28d Fight Squadron CO, Lt Marvin Lubner Dar Oe Dab vperautaces, roby wih Mein Gren sptchig) wih Neural Gay underutaces foseige sides. White numerals on? on the fr. Wine, red and lack shakmouth with Evalyn I sit above. 17¥ dplays two white fielage Stipes utich was avanaton onthe 73s ‘Squadron Command recognition marking syste. Note hes ls an ‘verpaleting ofthe Radio Call Numbers, 1 loop one lage spine. The ‘ain FS panes ther spinner cape ‘Group, China, October 1943, flown by 3334 Curtiss P-40K, 255 of 26th Fightr Squadron, St3t Fighter Group, Kunming, China, Dcember 1943, lown by Cures P-40K, 4246069 ofan unknown Fighter Group, crea 1943, Cures P-40%, Nick Nichols Nip Nipors'of the 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, flown, by Capt Frank A Nichols, Dark Give Drab proba wih Meum Green spaching) uppersuraces with Newwal Gray under ‘Curtiss P-40K,16r'ot the 754 Fighter Squadron, 2d Fighter Group, China, spring 1943, lown by Capt John Hampshire Jr wing, with those on the fuselage sides painted out n Dark Green or Ove Drab, White individual ac roach aca satis nthe 79! FS and , the aera north of Changs on 2 Curtiss P-40K, 162 ofthe 75th Fighter Squadron, ied Fighter Group, China, spring 1943 flown by ‘ILL Joseph M Grin bolow the starboard wing, with those on the fuselage sides painted out in Dark Green or Ove Drab. Wit individual ate numeral 162 and band on rear useage, Red, whe and black the rst USAAF pilots assigned tothe Fis Scoring wih the destruction of = Japanese bomber over Kweb on 23 November 1942Cuties P-40K, 13" of he 25th Fighter Squadron, Sts Fighter Group, Assam Valley, nd, 1948 Tus was one othe POKe probably ished nthe ANA G03 Sea Gray oppersutaces with ANA 602 Lisht Gray undersides scheme, White sarin blue ic cocardes above the port and below the starboard wing ané fone fuselage sides Whe 13 on wih the nome nx and fgar gesture on cowling den oto, ‘ive spinner Note Ne smiling sabretoat shake Curtiss P-40K, ‘The Deacon/Sad Sack ofthe 2rd Fighter Group, Hengyang, China 1943-4, flown by Lt Levis. Bark Give Deb 1 and prebably Megum Green letenng)vppesuraces wih Newal Gray 43 undersuaces Scheme Star and bar naonal signa above the port ad below to starboard wing and on te fsalage sides all tuned in Bue Rea, white, ue ang black shrkmouth White bo spine ip and ear uslage bane ‘Curtiss P4010 ofthe 78th Fighter Squadron, 18 Fighter Group, Hawa 1942-43, flown by Capt Gordon Hyde Bark Olve Drab 1 ant Sand 26 uppersuaces over Naural Gray 43 unersuaces, des Maro must be one of the mos! exboratey parted P02 ever th snakes head artwork onthe cowing sides! Whit str a blue dsc {heardes above the port and below the aboard wing and one fuselage fides. White numeral 10 acoes the fa et ep ange benoit ea te ; Curtiss P-40K, 4246140 208 ofthe 78th Fightor Squadon, 18th Fighter Group, 1983. Dark Otve Orab 1 (and pcbably Mesum Gran splechng )uppersufaces with Neutral Gray 43, Undorsurfaces scheme. Star and bar naonal insignia atove the port and below the starboard wng and onthe taeage aides al outines in ve Fadi Call Nurréwr 246180 on rader and name. Shabe I above exhaust Frans in yon. Whe indus number 205 tn cow below exhaust manolss. Note the wnt Band around the spinner Curtiss P-40K, 4248217 ‘51 ofthe 78th Fightar Squadron, Midway, 1945, Probably sporing an n-sanice re-pitcamoutage scheme of Sand 26 ad Dark Green 30 uppersurtaces brer Neu Gray 49 underside, which would be wll sisted fo the coal landscape of Midway san, this YOK shows no slaborate artwork. Whe sarin» Bue ic cocardes above the prt and beow the starboard wing anon the asage sdes. White 81 acost fad ruser and Rac Call Number 248217 in yesow on rudder. ‘Aone time appears hat is ‘machine had a white band on ‘itches of Oar Ovve Orb Ton the udderCurtiss P-40M, 990th ath Fightor Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, Australia, March 1944, flown by the Group CO ColD Campbell Dark Ofve Dab uppersuraces ith Neutral Gray undersides. Star and bar national insignia above por ‘This was the ony -40M assigned othe 48m FG In WW I and was foun by the CO, Col Camel on the Wewak operations in which he ‘centre, Gunter Air Force Base, USA 1944. ‘arc Otve Drab upperuraces wn Neu Gray 43 undersdes, As wi) Moat USAAP ter taining ‘rat ange areas of ideniaton Yalow 48 ware appl, nie cage on he tal areas and nose, We star 2 tue ise cocades, i the 8x sacar’ postions. Yeton indnidual ae eter Curtiss P41, 230° of the 25th Fighter Squadron, Sts Fighter Group, Burm, 1945 Dark Ove Drab 4 uppersuraces wh Neutal Gray 3 undersides, Star and bar national insignia ‘above pt a below starboard wings and on the fuselage sides, Note the whe sised Iter’ wih yellow dap shadow onthe rude and yew whoo bs, \Wihte 230" on fa and name ‘Marc’ on te coming. Spinner wes whe itn two ack bands. Red who and oot I Curtiss P-408, 214° ofthe 25th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, Yunnanyl, China, Summer 1984, own by Capt Paul 8 Royer Dark Ove Orab and Medium Green plotching uppersrtaces wih Neral Gray 43 undersides. Sar and ba natal insigna above port and below starboard wings and onthe useage side, Whe 239on fn (poss par of he patted out Rado Cat Number = and name ‘ss Jule’ on the covdng. Sommer wes Ove Drab with whe ip. Red Note the whe diagonal stip on the useage denoting a Fight Leader ire ‘Curtiss P-40N, 4210520213" ofthe 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, New Guines, January 1944, flown by Lt Bob DeHaven ‘Dark Ove Orb 41 (and Mociom Groon splicing) uppersuaces wih Neutral Gray 43 undersea. ‘Star and bar nator isgra above pot and below starboard wings anon the fselage eee Whe "3 on cong sides. Yalow Rac Cal Number, 2105202 cross fn ana udder mashed out when ‘New Guia Testy wht wa pea Wn vig dg wg Be se wih we ‘Stuacron fora completa eft nite January Not he eset ales ‘en Beow the cckpt windscreen Deaven's personal orchis a < ==Curtiss P-40N, 55 ofthe 80th Fighter Squadron, 60th Fighter Group, Assam, Inia, spring 1944 Dark Ove Drab 41 and Mesium Green spotching uppesurfaces with Noual Gray 43 undersies ‘Star and tar national magna above pot and below starboard wings and onthe futeage sides, White 55 across lop of fn and rusex White sand fos spare whch signed i as an 85 FS machine Note the 25 ta under he wadecreen, Curtis P-40N, 4210458, “4 ofthe 89th Fightr Squadron, Both Fighter Group, India, spring 1944 ‘Dark Olve Drab 41 and Meum Green epotching vppersurtaces with Nevral Gray 3 unders. Star ‘and bar national signa above port and below sarboard wings and onthe usloge sides, White 4 ‘cross topo in aed rudder wth Black Rao Call Number, 210889, across fn and ‘adder. White skull ana red pier Note the 1.5 kil and yelow mission ‘markers under te windscreen and name Us Bole on Curtiee P-40N, 42105112, ‘Garonimo! ofthe ASth Fighter Squadron, 15th Fighter Group, Nanumea island, Elie Islands, December 1943, lwn by Lt Bruce Campbell “hore es boon much debate a oe uc eaours of Geronimo! and tha reat he 45th FS P- {oN Tese colours could be ether overal Sand 6 o a cicortinied US Navy shade called USN Ugh Gray over a non-standard light ve shade. Bon options ae hse hor for you to make ut your own min! Star an bar natlonal signin above pert an below starboard wings and on the ‘elage ses wih ick Rac Gal Number, 2105142, arose and udder, Cuties P-40N, 4.23736, of unidentified Training Unt, USA, circa 1943 STaming unis the USA olen painted the Pas vanaus eolour schemes tke | replacement Ove Drab/Neutal Gray owing panels andthe black Rao Cat fbove port and teow starboard wings and on the haneage sis. 37Curtiss P-40N, ‘Fung Dung’ ofthe 88th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fightr Group, naa 1948 Dark Ovve Drab uppersuraces. (posi wih Medium Green pltcing), wah New Gray undersides, Strand bor nan eign sbove port and tel starboard wings an onthe urelago sides Instead | "Jie atmos radon sharmouth, te 8th FG aed 8 wine ak Curtiss P40, 425194, o he Tn gtr Squadron, 4th Flt Group, Miabrg land 1944 Gwent eatrl met ttn wit Dat Otve as encanta panel and wearéen tray Sa an er ‘atonal ian soo pot and bow srs ngs and on escape ses Win suas —_ eee lanciied sy Rado Call Number and the haf overpamted ale umber undemeatn he we an the rear fuselage, 323194 Aon tS Cutis P-40N, 44-7544 of an unknown Fighter SquadronFighter Group, cca 194. ‘The engin oto ofP-40N-6, 4754, rom whch Bs tteaion ws Bose, shows fin ight wh Dak lve Or uppersrtaces tt hot seers a be usualy It-oured underside clu possibly Sandor Nout! Gray btw fe ght ating f? Star and bar atonal ine above port ans teow starboard wigs ane othe olnge sis. Noo the Media Green «2 Btenng was ony ape te rude nd othe wags or tnplanes. Alo nate he wht cutnedcomparmert a fe coc Curtiss P40N, ‘367, ‘Kiswi-Kiton’of the 16th Fighter Squadron, S13 fighter Group, China, sunt 1944, flowo by Lt Car € Hardy. Dark Otve Drab vepersuraces. (posi wih Maxium Green sploching), wih Nevtal Gray undersides Strand Sar naons insignis above port an below starboard wings and on the fuselage sides. ray Scere oe stra tir n Wf a va Garage. Ne peo ‘ppd and the eld meeaton Sippor sap onthe main cook ‘jasng, featur of some CB | AWIN- KITTEN Cutis P-40N, 45, "Ho's Bele ofthe TAth Fighter Squadron, 23rd Fig fown by the unit's CO, Maj Arthr W Cruikshank. Dark Ove Drab uopersrfaces, wth Med Green ‘spotting’ onthe tal sudaces, and Neural Gray Undersises. Saran ba national nigh above prt and below staboars wags and on he hselage ides "At Crukshankcamed Sx ks In China ying Hal's Ble’ Note te 47E FS emblem onthe rude, 38Curtiss P-40N, 48, Tommy's Da of he 74th Fighter Squadron, 23rd Fighter Group, Lullang, China Summer 1944, flown by te sit CO, Ma John ¢ Herbst. Dark Ove Drab uppersirace, wih Medium Green spicing’, an Neral Gray undersides, Star and bar ‘atonal gna ave pot and slow stators wigs and te fneage sie Note he pated Sip Eater nis carer. Herbst few wih tne RCAF in Europe and arved nthe Cetin ae soeng THe inched te savin ha etd yd Curtiss P-40N, 19, ‘Suzy’, ofthe Bth Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, New Guinea, autumn 1943, Derk Ove Drab upperaurtses, goesly wih Medum Green spotring’on the wings), and Nel Gray indore, Strand bar atonal nega above por and below starboard wings and onto selage ‘tex Wnt New Guinea Tete ta suraces and wing lean edges, Whe agonal stipe around he rer fuselage poses inestng a Fight Leader. Name ‘Capt Myers and WY Fee] Cutis P-40N, 42", ‘Kansas City Kile, of he 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, Marion, New Guinea Ine 1943, flown by Capt Robert H Wig Derk Ove rab uppersuteces, osstly with Medum Green ‘splthing’ on the wings), and Neu Sry scares Sar andr nena nana above port rd bw road wr redo jwonsascrr Curtiss P-40N, 42-105260, ofthe 35th Fightor Squadron, 40th Fighter Group, Cape Gloucester, Dark Ove Orab uppersuraces, (ossiay wih Mesum Green spothing onthe wings, an Newt Gray undersides. Star and bar national iaigha above port and below starboard wings and onthe fuselage sides. White New Guinea Theat tal sufaces and wing lending edges, White epnner bp and what Unerneath a ave agonal leasing edge This PON Curtis P-40N, 61 of the 89th Fighter Squadron, BOth Fighter Group, nda, summer 1944. Dark Ove Drab uppersrfaces, wit Medum Green splctchng and Neural Gray undersides. Star and ‘ar natonalinstgnia above port and below starboard wings anon the hele ee, Note he unvsul mou artwork whic oks a fe orignal engine panel ‘was replaced a same ui tavg nly haf the srwork inact Note 0. ‘he placement Nsage pane! and IDF oop onthe Sine. 3940 Cuties P-40N, 4.7071,‘ of he 138 Fighter Group, Middleburg land 1944, own by the unit CO, Maj Bon Preston ‘wings and on the fuselage sides. Note orange and back stnpes beneath the 47071 ‘act and black Radio Call Number and code ltrs, Curtes P-40N, 8°, dy ofthe 74 {IL John Bolyara Dark Ove Drab uppersuraces, with Medium Groen ‘soothing’ and Neutal Gray undersides. Star and bar nator lini ove grt and below slarbard wigs and onthe fuselage ses. suo he ben Vnsteed PES forthe fst ton months of 1949 ‘hic he lmed one ‘round a Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, Kanchow, China 1944, flown by Za Curtiss PON, ‘67 ‘The Carolina Bol’ ofthe Bh Fighter Squadron, 4B Fighter Group, Kalamazoo 1943, flown by the unt CO, Emie Hara Dat lve Drab upprsutaces, wth Medium Groen spothing' on the wings and talpanes, and Neutral Gray undersides Sta and bar national insignia above pot and below starboard wings angon he tuselage sen. Wht fin and rudder Theave martings. Note the two yellow dagonal stipes around te rea fuselage. This AON ‘wos the second P40 whch Has named ater his tho In November 1943. The Carona Bel Chit, Can Wingo. Curtiss P-40N, 7 ‘Rusty’ of the Th Fighter Squadron, 48th Fighter Group, New Guinea 1943, flown by Lr doot 8 Pars. ‘This PH4ON appears to have retained the eae sty, two-tone uppesurace camoutage of Dark Green 30/Rust Brown 3, over Neutal Grey undersides Str and dis nalonl agra coe. above por an below starboard wings and onthe useage sds, Whe ledges. Note the horizontal bie band across the top of he fan ree an ioe < Curtiss P-40N, 30 ofthe 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, Middleburg Island 1943, Dark Oive Drab uppersuaces, wih Medium Green ‘splicing’ on te wings and talanes. and Neutal Gray undersides. Strand bar naoal insignia stove pot and blow starboard wings and on he fuselage ses, White fra rer Theatre markings.Curtiss P-A0N, ofthe 88th Fighter Squad Dark Ov Dead uppersurtaes, wth Mec Gx rational signa duet overpanting the fea nite and Bue spinner Lt Ralph Anderson, Dark Owe O aces, with Mackin Groen spcching’ on he wings and taplanes, ans Newt land again the natona insignia has 8 croventicte cate we insignia Red 4 = contr makings Curtiss P40N. %821' of an unknown training uni based at Luke Ail, USA 1944, dona insignia. This PON alsa has whe wings, =p Curtis P40, 49-24 » Sides, Radio Cal Number mat and udder Red 324380 : ™ Curtis P-40N,'55, ‘Kay the Strawberry Blonde, of the 8th Fighter Squadron 4th Fighter Group, 1943, flown by Lt Sammy Perce. Dark Ove Drab unperertaes, (scesly wit Medkum Groen ‘pothing’ on he wings and faipanes), and Newval Gay undersides Star and dsc natonel naga above por snd below Starboard wings and onthe fuselage sides. ita New Guinea Theatre’ fh Sd der and rear fuselage, Note the orange spinner. tor anion bar an 41=a ela Curtiss PDN, 194° Lopes Hope’ ofthe TSth Fighter Squadron, ard Fighter Group, Kwan, China 1848, lown by Lt Donald 8 Lopes Dark Olve Drab uppersuraces, with Medium Green spltching and Neural Gray undersides Star and bar national nsgna above por and blow sarod wings and onthe fuselage soe Lope one the 73th FS {8 replacement pict n Noverber 1943 He clamod on Osea” y Calling with & near Hengyang the impact Shearing of the wing of ie 420q1 Th P-4ON was named ‘ta taxing Pst oe Shuck fe P=A0N nth noes Curtiss P-40N, 19, of flown by Lt Bob DeHaven Dark Ove Drab uppersutaces,(possty with Madum Green splicing onthe wings), and Newtal Gray undersides. Star and bar atonal insignia above por and bow samoard wings nd onthe ‘usolage ses White New Guinea Teste tal suaces and ing teasing espe Noe te four hile and ue sper 7th Fighter Squadron, 45th Fighter Group, Gutap, December 1943, Curtiss P-40N,'20'‘Keystone Kathone’, ofthe 7th Fighter Squadron, 48th Fighter Group, Gusap, April 1943, flown by Ma riand Stanton CO. Dark Otve Drab uppersutaces, (pssiy with Medium Green splicing onthe wings), and Neutral ra undersides. Star and bar natal insignia above pot and below starboard wings and on te eslage sides, Whit ‘New Guinea Thea ta suraces and weg leading edges, Stanton regarded hs P-AON a he best ger that he ‘tow n the Theatre and in whic he claimed oils Over Week on three aero tgs before Ap 1883. Note he sven il marke and sir by-paes glo pate. ea Curtiss 408, “5 of te 8th Fg flown by Lt Oon Meuten, Dark Ove Drab uppersuraces, (possaty wit Medum Green splothing onthe wings), and Neutal a Gray undersides. Saran bar ratonal niga above port and below starboard wings and on the fuselage sides, sill ovine ned. Wate New Guanea Tneate tal sufaces and wins leading 63983 Don Meuten was lost ony minutos away tom Gosap Arp ser an ‘bored mation, Sik hil markings Under windscreen. Note the Yoon ftp edged in ack {nt yao sane tn Curtiss P-40N, 4, f the 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, Gusap, June 1944, flown by Lt Marion Fels. ‘This P-40N was orginally inthe standard Dark Olive OrabNeial Gray scheme ni it was aa arnage in landing accident emarged om the ropa dept sped of ts ast in 9 natal ‘metal ish but retained he onal india ac number 43 side an Ove Drab box. Wnite New Gunes Theat ta srtaces and wing lea lies. Note pat ofa number Underneath the wht on te rear fuselage, yw fn ip ‘edged in Back lack take ip and he yelow spinner ‘Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, Gusap, February 1946, 42\ a Cuniss -40N, 24 ofthe Th Fighter Squadron, 49th ‘slotching on he wings snd tiplana, and Nel Gray

You might also like

• Mushroom Model Magazine Special - Orange Series 8103 - Westland Lysander

  

  Document202 pages

  Mushroom Model Magazine Special - Orange Series 8103 - Westland Lysander

  Raul Garcia

  92% (13)
• Mushroom Model Magazine Special - Orange Series 8101 - PZL 23 Karas

  

  Document146 pages

  Mushroom Model Magazine Special - Orange Series 8101 - PZL 23 Karas

  Raul Garcia

  100% (11)
• Rotorcraft of The Third Reich

  

  Document99 pages

  Rotorcraft of The Third Reich

  Raul Garcia

  100% (15)
• • Magazines
  • Podcasts
  • Sheet music
• Curtiss HAWK H-75 in French Service - Mushroom Red Series 5112

  

  Document145 pages

  Curtiss HAWK H-75 in French Service - Mushroom Red Series 5112

  Raul Garcia

  100% (19)
• SAM Modellers Datafile 09 - The Messerschmitt Bf-109 Part 1 Prototype To 'E' Variants

  

  Document186 pages

  SAM Modellers Datafile 09 - The Messerschmitt Bf-109 Part 1 Prototype To 'E' Variants

  Raul Garcia

  100% (5)
• Fighters Over France and The Low Countries

  

  Document151 pages

  Fighters Over France and The Low Countries

  Raul Garcia

  100% (5)
• Mushroom Model Magazine Special - Orange Series 8102 Macchi C 202

  

  Document98 pages

  Mushroom Model Magazine Special - Orange Series 8102 Macchi C 202

  Raul Garcia

  100% (8)
• Rotorcraft of The Third Reich

  

  Document99 pages

  Rotorcraft of The Third Reich

  Raul Garcia

  100% (15)
• Mushroom - Red Series 5103 Japanese Submarine Aircraft

  

  Document66 pages

  Mushroom - Red Series 5103 Japanese Submarine Aircraft

  Raul Garcia

  83% (6)
• Mushroom - Red Series 5103 Japanese Submarine Aircraft

  

  Document66 pages

  Mushroom - Red Series 5103 Japanese Submarine Aircraft

  Raul Garcia

  83% (6)
• SAM Modellers Datafile 11 The British Aerospace Sea Harrier

  

  Document138 pages

  SAM Modellers Datafile 11 The British Aerospace Sea Harrier

  magyaralba

  100% (19)
• SAM Modellers Datafile 09 - The Messerschmitt Bf-109 Part 1 Prototype To 'E' Variants

  

  Document180 pages

  SAM Modellers Datafile 09 - The Messerschmitt Bf-109 Part 1 Prototype To 'E' Variants

  Raul Garcia

  94% (16)
• Mushroom - Red Series 5103 Japanese Submarine Aircraft

  

  Document66 pages

  Mushroom - Red Series 5103 Japanese Submarine Aircraft

  Raul Garcia

  83% (6)
• Kagero Photosniper 18 - M5A1 Stuart

  

  Document58 pages

  Kagero Photosniper 18 - M5A1 Stuart

  Raul Garcia

  100% (3)
• Mushroom Model Magazine Special - Blue Series 7102 - GC1-145 in France 1940

  

  Document98 pages

  Mushroom Model Magazine Special - Blue Series 7102 - GC1-145 in France 1940

  Raul Garcia

  100% (12)
• SAM Modellers Datafile 08 - The Gloster & AW Meteor

  

  Document138 pages

  SAM Modellers Datafile 08 - The Gloster & AW Meteor

  Raul Garcia

  85% (20)
• SAM Modellers Datafile 05 - The Supermarine Spitfire Partt2 Griffon-Powered

  

  Document182 pages

  SAM Modellers Datafile 05 - The Supermarine Spitfire Partt2 Griffon-Powered

  Raul Garcia

  100% (6)
• SAM Modellers Datafile 10 - The Messerschmitt BF 109 Part 2 F To K Variants

  

  Document228 pages

  SAM Modellers Datafile 10 - The Messerschmitt BF 109 Part 2 F To K Variants

  Raul Garcia

  100% (21)
• SAM Modellers Datafile 07 - The English Electric Lightning

  

  Document138 pages

  SAM Modellers Datafile 07 - The English Electric Lightning

  Raul Garcia

  100% (3)
• SAM Modellers Datafile 03 - The Supermarine Spitfire Part 1 Merlin Powered

  

  Document184 pages

  SAM Modellers Datafile 03 - The Supermarine Spitfire Part 1 Merlin Powered

  Raul Garcia

  100% (5)
• SAM Combat Colours 06 - de Havilland Mosquito Day and Night Fighters in RAF Service 1941 To 1945

  

  Document52 pages

  SAM Combat Colours 06 - de Havilland Mosquito Day and Night Fighters in RAF Service 1941 To 1945

  Raul Garcia

  94% (17)
• SAM Modellers Datafile 02 - The Hawker Hurricane

  

  Document173 pages

  SAM Modellers Datafile 02 - The Hawker Hurricane

  Raul Garcia

  100% (3)
• SAM Combat Colours 01 - Messerschmitt Bf-109E On The Western Front - 1940 Scale Aircraft Modelling

  

  Document60 pages

  SAM Combat Colours 01 - Messerschmitt Bf-109E On The Western Front - 1940 Scale Aircraft Modelling

  Raul Garcia

  100% (14)
• SAM Modellers Datafile 03 - The Supermarine Spitfire Part 1 Merlin Powered

  

  Document180 pages

  SAM Modellers Datafile 03 - The Supermarine Spitfire Part 1 Merlin Powered

  Raul Garcia

  100% (19)
• (Warpaint Series No.59) Lockheed Hudson Mk.I To MK - VI

  

  Document37 pages

  (Warpaint Series No.59) Lockheed Hudson Mk.I To MK - VI

  Doloma

  93% (15)
• SAM Combat Colours 04

  

  Document72 pages

  SAM Combat Colours 04

  Raul Garcia

  100% (14)
• SAM Modeller - Mcdonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II P 2 - Us Navy & Marine Corps Variants

  

  Document138 pages

  SAM Modeller - Mcdonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II P 2 - Us Navy & Marine Corps Variants

  magyaralba

  97% (33)
• SAM Combat Colours 04

  

  Document60 pages

  SAM Combat Colours 04

  Raul Garcia

  100% (14)
• Warpaint 55 Tempest

  

  Document36 pages

  Warpaint 55 Tempest

  Raul Garcia

  100% (7)
• Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike

  

  From Everand

  Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike

  Phil Knight

  Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

  4.5/5 (537)
• Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It

  

  From Everand

  Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It

  Chris Voss

  Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

  4.5/5 (838)
• Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future

  

  From Everand

  Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future

  Ashlee Vance

  Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

  4.5/5 (474)
• The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life

  

  From Everand

  The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life

  Mark Manson

  Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

  4/5 (5782)
• Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

  

  From Everand

  Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

  Angela Duckworth

  Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

  4/5 (587)
• Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race

  

  From Everand

  Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race

  Margot Lee Shetterly

  Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

  4/5 (890)
• The Yellow House: A Memoir (2019 National Book Award Winner)

  

  From Everand

  The Yellow House: A Memoir (2019 National Book Award Winner)

  Sarah M. Broom

  Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

  4/5 (98)
• On Fire: The (Burning) Case for a Green New Deal

  

  From Everand

  On Fire: The (Burning) Case for a Green New Deal

  Naomi Klein

  Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

  4/5 (72)
• Yes Please

  

  From Everand

  Yes Please

  Amy Poehler

  Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

  4/5 (1888)
• The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living

  

  From Everand

  The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living

  Meik Wiking

  Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

  3.5/5 (399)
• Principles: Life and Work

  

  From Everand

  Principles: Life and Work

  Ray Dalio

  Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

  4/5 (599)
• A Heartbreaking Work Of Staggering Genius: A Memoir Based on a True Story

  

  From Everand

  A Heartbreaking Work Of Staggering Genius: A Memoir Based on a True Story

  Dave Eggers

  Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

  3.5/5 (231)
• Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

  

  From Everand

  Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

  Doris Kearns Goodwin

  Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

  4.5/5 (234)
• Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America

  

  From Everand

  Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America

  Gilbert King

  Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

  4.5/5 (265)
• The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers

  

  From Everand

  The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers

  Ben Horowitz

  Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

  4.5/5 (344)
• Fear: Trump in the White House

  

  From Everand

  Fear: Trump in the White House

  Bob Woodward

  Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

  3.5/5 (738)
• The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer

  

  From Everand

  The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer

  Siddhartha Mukherjee

  Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

  4.5/5 (271)
• Steve Jobs

  

  From Everand

  Steve Jobs

  Walter Isaacson

  Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

  4.5/5 (806)
• John Adams

  

  From Everand

  John Adams

  David McCullough

  Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

  4.5/5 (2409)
• The World Is Flat 3.0: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century

  

  From Everand

  The World Is Flat 3.0: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century

  Thomas L. Friedman

  Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

  3.5/5 (2219)
• The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America

  

  From Everand

  The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America

  George Packer

  Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

  4/5 (45)
• The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are

  

  From Everand

  The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are

  Brene Brown

  Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

  4/5 (1090)
• Rise of ISIS: A Threat We Can't Ignore

  

  From Everand

  Rise of ISIS: A Threat We Can't Ignore

  Jay Sekulow

  Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

  3.5/5 (137)
• Angela's Ashes: A Memoir

  

  From Everand

  Angela's Ashes: A Memoir

  Frank McCourt

  Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

  4.5/5 (440)
• Bad Feminist: Essays

  

  From Everand

  Bad Feminist: Essays

  Roxane Gay

  Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

  4/5 (1015)
• The Glass Castle: A Memoir

  

  From Everand

  The Glass Castle: A Memoir

  Jeannette Walls

  Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

  4.5/5 (1711)
• The Outsider: A Novel

  

  From Everand

  The Outsider: A Novel

  Stephen King

  Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

  4/5 (1800)
• The Woman in Cabin 10

  

  From Everand

  The Woman in Cabin 10

  Ruth Ware

  Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

  3.5/5 (2322)
• Brooklyn: A Novel

  

  From Everand

  Brooklyn: A Novel

  Colm Tóibín

  Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

  3.5/5 (1937)
• The Light Between Oceans: A Novel

  

  From Everand

  The Light Between Oceans: A Novel

  M.L. Stedman

  Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

  4.5/5 (789)
• The Sympathizer: A Novel (Pulitzer Prize for Fiction)

  

  From Everand

  The Sympathizer: A Novel (Pulitzer Prize for Fiction)

  Viet Thanh Nguyen

  Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

  4.5/5 (119)
• A Man Called Ove: A Novel

  

  From Everand

  A Man Called Ove: A Novel

  Fredrik Backman

  Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

  4.5/5 (4609)
• Wolf Hall: A Novel

  

  From Everand

  Wolf Hall: A Novel

  Hilary Mantel

  Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

  4/5 (3811)
• Manhattan Beach: A Novel

  

  From Everand

  Manhattan Beach: A Novel

  Jennifer Egan

  Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

  3.5/5 (791)
• Little Women

  

  From Everand

  Little Women

  Louisa May Alcott

  Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

  4/5 (104)
• The Perks of Being a Wallflower

  

  From Everand

  The Perks of Being a Wallflower

  Stephen Chbosky

  Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

  4.5/5 (2099)
• The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel

  

  From Everand

  The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel

  Garth Stein

  Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

  4/5 (4193)
• Her Body and Other Parties: Stories

  

  From Everand

  Her Body and Other Parties: Stories

  Carmen Maria Machado

  Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

  4/5 (821)
• A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

  

  From Everand

  A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

  Betty Smith

  Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

  4.5/5 (1929)
• Sing, Unburied, Sing: A Novel

  

  From Everand

  Sing, Unburied, Sing: A Novel

  Jesmyn Ward

  Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

  4/5 (1103)
• The Constant Gardener: A Novel

  

  From Everand

  The Constant Gardener: A Novel

  John le Carré

  Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

  3.5/5 (104)