Evolution of the Breed – The Curtiss P-40

Work of art. The P-40 nose cowlings around the Allison engine can only be described as beautiful engineering. An early P-40B is seen here at the Curtiss factory prior to paint. (Photo courtesy of John Dibbs/Facebook.com/theplanepicture)

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By the early 1930s, the Army Air Corps was no longer interested in the “ancient technology” of biplane fighters. For a very short while, the Army Air Corp thought they had the ultimate fighter on their hands. The P-40 was sleek and fast and carried an assortment of machine guns above its nose and in the wings. By the time 1942 was in full swing, the P-40 was basically shoved aside as newer fighter models...

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