The P-40, developed from the P-36, was America's foremost 
fighter in service when WWII began. P-40s engaged Japanese 
aircraft during the attack on Pearl Harbor and the invasion 
of the Philippines in December 1941. They also were flown 
in China early in 1942 by the famed Flying Tigers and in 
North Africa in 1943 by the first AAF all-black unit, 
the 99th Fighter Squadron. 
The P-40 served in numerous combat areas--the Aleutian 
Islands, Italy, the Middle East, the Far East, the Southwest 
Pacific and some were sent to Russia. Though often 
outclassed by its adversaries in speed, maneuverability 
and rate of climb, the P-40 earned a reputation in battle 
for extreme ruggedness. At the end of the P-40's brilliant 
career, more than 14,000 had been produced for service in 
the air forces of 28 nations, of which 2,320 were of the 
"E" series. 
The airplane on display, a "Kittyhawk" (the export version 
of the P-40E built for the RAF), was obtained from Mr. 
Charles P. Doyle, Rosemount, Minnesota. It is painted as 
the P-40E flown in combat by Bruce Holloway, a pilot in 
both the Flying Tigers and its successor AAF unit, the 23d 
Fighter Group. During his tour in China, Colonel Holloway, 
who retired as a four star General in 1972 while the Commander 
of the Strategic Air Command (SAC), had a total of 13 
Japanese planes to his credit. 
  SPECIFICATIONS 
Span: 37 ft. 4 in. 
Length: 31 ft. 9 in. 
Height: 12 ft. 4 in. 
Weight: 9,100 lbs. loaded 
Armament: Six .50-cal. machine guns; 
700 lbs. of bombs externally. 
Engine: Allison V-1710 of 1,150 hp. 
Cost: $45,000 
PERFORMANCE 
Maximum speed: 362 mph. 
Cruising speed: 235 mph. 
Range: 850 miles 
Service Ceiling: 30,000 ft.