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Did the RAF use the P-40N?


PaulR

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Morning all,

am just fondling my Academy P-40M/N (It's how I get my kicks these days), and noted the RAF P-40M sharkmouth scheme. However, I've always preferred the P-40N's more angular canopy, and was wondering if any RAF squadrons used this variant, colour schemes etc.

Can't find any in my normal references, but I am sure the old Matchbox kit had a RAF P-40N option.

Thanks for any info,Paul

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For an unusual RAF P-40N (or Kittyhawk Mk.IV) subject there is FX 594 retained by Air Service Training (Hamble - the Curtiss "sister" firm) in quasi day fighter scheme with Sky spinner and fuselage band but no codes as evaluated at the A&AEE. Aircraft was one of a batch delivered between Nov 1943 and Mar 1944.

Aircraft was delivered in OD over NG and modified to DFS by having a disruptive pattern of "dark sea grey" (perhaps Ocean Grey) painted on the upper surfaces with the original stencil markings preserved on patches of OD by masking. In ortho photos of this machine the grey looks light - more like MSG - possibly because of the blueishness in the paint.

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Hi Paul ,

Yes the RAF received P40N , commencing with the P40N-1 . It was allocated 186 P40N-1 , of which 130 were sent to the Soviets from this allocation (FS270-399)

Of the remaining 56 (FT849-905) FT883-697 were transferred to the SAAF - in SAAF and were taken on charge by that service. FT898-894 were lost at sea en route to SA.

These A/C were indistinguishable from P40M/Kittyhawk III ( at least for Modelling purposes)

From FT906 - 954 these were P40N-5 or KittyhawkIV series ii Delivered Nov43- Feb 44

A further 350 were allocated Serial nos FX 498-847 Delivered Nov43-March44 Again some were transferred to the SAAF in SA

Used by 3 RAAF, 5 SAAF, 11 SAAF , 112 RAF , 250 , 450 ( Aus)

11 SAAF 250 and 450 used the A/C until the end of the War.

Cheers

Terry McGrady

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For an unusual RAF P-40N (or Kittyhawk Mk.IV) subject there is FX 594 retained by Air Service Training (Hamble - the Curtiss "sister" firm) in quasi day fighter scheme with Sky spinner and fuselage band but no codes as evaluated at the A&AEE. Aircraft was one of a batch delivered between Nov 1943 and Mar 1944.

Aircraft was delivered in OD over NG and modified to DFS by having a disruptive pattern of "dark sea grey" (perhaps Ocean Grey) painted on the upper surfaces with the original stencil markings preserved on patches of OD by masking. In ortho photos of this machine the grey looks light - more like MSG - possibly because of the blueishness in the paint.

Hi Nick ,

It is this airframe which has frequently been held as "proof" that P40N were delivered in Desert Colour schemes!!

Best Regards

Terry

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different Kittyhawk MKIV to do would be FT931 OK*L of 450 SQ . Flown by Sq Ldr Jack Doyle RAAF , it had clipped wings and red tailplane elevator tops .

Remainder of A/C DG/ DE / Azure blue .

Decals are available for a similar machine FT859 of 450 Sqn - Aussie Decals A72004 (also in 1/48) which depicts this aircraft in Ocean Grey/Dark Green/Medium Sea Grey with Sky Blue band. No red tailplane or clipped wings. There are 3 other Kittyhawk IV (P-40N-15) schemes on this sheet, all different schemes.

http://www.modelkitsonline.com.au/pages/ma...mp;Group=Decals

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Decals are available for a similar machine FT859 of 450 Sqn - Aussie Decals A72004 (also in 1/48) which depicts this aircraft in Ocean Grey/Dark Green/Medium Sea Grey with Sky Blue band. No red tailplane or clipped wings. There are 3 other Kittyhawk IV (P-40N-15) schemes on this sheet, all different schemes.

http://www.modelkitsonline.com.au/pages/ma...mp;Group=Decals

Hi Ed .

There is a story behind the clipped wing Kittyhawk FT931. It was an ex 250 Sq A/C Jack Doyle damaged the wing-tip in a taxying accident . As the war was nearly over , instead of the A/C being sent for repair , he got his ground crew to saw of the other tip and had wooden plugs made . The A/C was never flown in action in this configuration , but was flown afaik in the Victory Flypast, in Italy

As regards the DG/OG/MSG scheme on FT859 , I remain somewhat sceptical about it , though indeed it would make an interesting model

Cheers

Terry McGrady

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