Curtiss P-40 designations

[Geoffrey Sinclair]

Model Designation Army Aircraft Eleventh Edition compiled by Air Technical Service Command Engineering Division, TSESE-4D4 Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, January 1945. [12th edition June 1946]  The suggestion is put the text into a spreadsheet.

 

Model    \    Specification No.    \    Contract No.    \    Qty.    \    Engine maker    \    Engine model    \    Characteristics
XP-40    \    98-605-1    \    AC-10136    \    1    \    Allison     \    V1710-19    \    Similar to the P-36A except for different engine with integral supercharger (P-36A low wing, all metal monoplane; fuselage of semi-monocoque construction; retractable landing gear and tail wheel hydraulically operated; trailing edge flaps, hydraulically operated; Curtiss electrically controlled constant speed propeller;  Curtiss model 75L)
P-40    \    98-610-2    \    AC-12414    \    200    \    Allison     \    V1710-33    \    All metal, low wing monoplane; with two 0.50 cal. synchronized machine guns and two 0.30 cal. machine guns, one in each wing.  Radio command set SCR-183, filter RC-32, throat microphone P-20A, amplifier RC-19, armor plate, bulletproof windshield, leakproof tanks installed in service.  (Restricted class 22 October 1942) [Acceptance May 1940]
P-40A    \        \        \        \        \        \    Designation not assigned
P-40B    \    98-610-5    \    AC-15802    \    131    \    Allison     \    V1710-33    \    Similar to the P-40 except as follows: Armor plate in front and rear of pilot; bulletproof windshield; leakproof fuel tanks; four 0.03 cal. wing guns instead of two; command set SCR-283; camouflage finish.  (Restricted class 22 October 1942) [Acceptance February 1941]
P-40C    \    98-610-5    \    AC-15802    \    193    \    Allison     \    V1710-33    \    P-40B modified with internal leakproof fuel tank instead of external covering.  Radio set SCR-274N
P-40D    \    98-610-3    \    AC-12414    \    22    \    Allison     \    V1710-39    \    Similar to P-40 series except for four 0.50 cal. machine guns, two in each wing, provisions for one 20mm cannon in each wing and droppable auxiliary fuel tank. [Redesigned fuselage with improved visibility.  Acceptance May 1941]
P-40E    \    7437    \    AC-15802    \    519    \    Allison     \    V1710-39    \    Similar to the P-40D except for the following; Six 0.50 cal. wing guns with alternate provisions for six 20 pound bombs and/or one 500 pound bomb; SCR-283 radio on first airplanes, SCR-264N on later models; no provisions for 20mm cannon; de-icing equipment (Ethylene Glycol spray) [Acceptance June 1941, 2 P-40E modified as 2 place trainer designated P-40ES]
P-40E    \    7437    \    AC-12414    \    301    \    Allison     \    V1710-39    \    
P-40E-1    \    DA-98-610-9A    \    DA-3    \    1500    \    Allison     \    V1710-39    \    Same as the P-40D except for minor changes to comply with the British requirements. Armament six 0.50 cal. machine guns (3 in each wing); provisions for alternate load of six 20 or 30 pound fragmentation bombs; radio receiver and transmitter type TR9D.
XP-40F    \    98-610-8, 7437A    \    AC-12414    \    1    \    Packard    \    V-1650-1    \    P-40D converted with engine change [Acceptance June 1942]
YP-40F    \    7437A    \        \    1    \    Packard    \    V-1650-1    \    Same as XP-40F except coolant system moved to rear
P-40F    \    98-610-8A    \    AC-15802    \    699    \    Packard    \    V-1650-1    \    Same as P-40E except for engine change.  [Acceptance June 1941, carburetor air intake scoop removed]
P-40F-5    \    7437F    \    AC-15802    \    123    \    Packard    \    V-1650-1    \    Same as for P-40F except for fuselage extension to improve stability.
P-40F-10    \    7437F    \    AC-15802    \    177    \    Packard    \    V-1650-1    \    Same as for P-40F-5 except for manual cowl flap control instead of electric.
P-40F-15    \    7437F    \    AC-18685    \    200    \    Packard    \    V-1650-1    \    Same as for P-40F-10 except for winterization and deletion of emergency hydraulic system.
P-40F-20    \    7437F    \    AC-18685    \    112    \    Packard    \    V-1650-1    \    Same as for P-40F-10 except for demand type oxygen system in lieu of the constant flow.
P-40G    \    98-610    \    AC-20620    \    45    \    Allison     \    V1710-33    \    Similar of the P-40 except for modifications to provide for installation of Tomahawk wings.  Radio command set SCR-183. [Acceptance July 1940, only 1 produced, not 45]
P-40H    \        \        \        \        \        \    Assignment cancelled
P-40J    \        \        \        \        \        \    P-40E with supercharger, assignment cancelled 18 May 1942. [Turbo supercharger]
XP-40K    \    7437K    \        \    1    \    Packard    \    V-1650-1    \    One model P-40K-10 reworked into the XP-40K for experimental flight test of engine and engine installation development.  The following changes were made; P-38 spinner and bulkhead installed; carburetor air scoop and side cowling revised to fit smaller bulkhead; new cowling and formers made up for section below engine; experimental engine mounts; oil and coolant radiators mounted under center section of wing; leading edge of center section wing rebuilt to accommodate ducting for new radiators; P-40F expansion tank mounted on spinn bulkhead.  [Acceptance 1943]
P-40K    \    98-610-13    \    AC-22714    \    700    \    Allison     \    V1710-73    \    Same as the P-40E except for different engine with higher blower gear ratio and boost controls.  (Provisions for installation of bombs or belly tanks) [Acceptance August 1942]
P-40K-1    \    7437K    \    DA-913    \    600    \    Allison     \    V1710-73    \    Same as the P-40E except for high critical altitude engine and auto manifold pressure regulator.   [Acceptance August 1942]
P-40K-5    \    7437K    \    AC-22714    \    200    \    Allison     \    V1710-73    \    Same as the P-40K-1 except for addition of rotary valve cooler.
P-40K-10    \    7437K    \    AC-22714    \    335    \    Allison     \    V1710-73    \    The last 500 P-40K-5 airplanes, serial nos. 42-9930 through 42-10429, redesignated due to fuselage extension.
P-40K-15    \    7437K    \    AC-22714    \    165    \    Allison     \    V1710-73    \    The last 165 P-40K-10 airplanes,  serial nos. 42-10265 through 42-10429, redesignated with the following changes: Winterization, elimination of emergency hydraulic system; relocation of battery forward to engine compartment.
P-40L    \    98-610-14    \    AC-22714    \    700    \    Packard    \    V-1650-1    \    Similar to the P-40F except for improved equipment.  Redesignated P-40L-1. [Acceptance January 1943]
P-40L-5    \    7437L    \    AC-22714    \    220    \    Packard    \    V-1650-1    \    The last 650 P-40L-1 airplanes,  serial nos. 42-10480 through 42-11129, redesignated due to the removal of two outboard wing guns and the front wing tank (37 gallons)
P-40L-10    \    7437L    \    AC-22714    \    148    \    Packard    \    V-1650-1    \    The last 430 P-40L-5 airplanes,  serial nos. 42-10700 through 42-11129, redesignated with the following: Relocated auxiliary fuel pump; sheet metal carburetor air intake elbow; deletion of coolant tank armor; propeller warning light, aileron control trim tab, coolant warning light, pilot's tube, data case and wing walkway; relocation of parking harness; droppable sway braces for 75 gallon belly tank.
P-40L-15    \    7437L    \    AC-22714    \    112    \    Packard    \    V-1650-1    \    The last 282 P-40L-10 airplanes,  serial nos. 42-10848 through 42-11129, redesignated with the following: Permanent type carburettor air filter; provisions for inter aircraft signal light.
P-40L-20    \    7437L    \    AC-22714    \    170    \    Packard    \    V-1650-1    \    The last 170 P-40L-15 airplanes,  serial nos. 42-10960 through 42-11129, redesignated with the following: Provisions for SCR-695 radio; deletion of JB-29 junction box; BK-42 relay; provisions for M-8 signal discharger; provisions for incendiary grenade.
P-40M-1    \    7437M    \    AC-30491    \    600    \    Allison     \    V1710-81    \    Same as the P-40K-20 except for reinforced ailerons.  [Acceptance November 1942]
P-40M-5    \    7437M    \    AC-30491    \    260    \    Allison     \    V1710-81    \    The last 280 P-40M-5 airplanes,  serial nos. 43-5723 through 43-6200, redesignated with the following changes: addition of visual landing gear indicators; deletion of landing gear warning horn; deletion of fuel pressure warning signal; removal of air vapor eliminator.
P-40M-10    \    7437M    \    AC-30491    \    280    \    Allison     \    V1710-81    \    The last 280 P-40M-5 airplanes,  serial nos. 43-5723 through 43-6200, redesignated with the following changes: addition of visual landing gear indicators; deletion of landing gear warning horn; deletion of fuel pressure warning signal; removal of air vapor eliminator.
P-40N-1    \    7437N    \    AC-34423    \    400    \    Allison     \    V1710-81    \    Similar to the P-40, E, K and M types of airplanes except as follows;  Different engine with boost control; armament 4 0.50 cal. wing guns; no provisions for wing bombs, increased armour plate protection; no front wing tank; mechanical landing gear, flaps and indicators; non metallic tanks; SCR-522 radio; alternate SCR-274N; Type A-12 demand oxygen system. [Acceptance March 1943, stripped light weight P-40 similar to P-40H except change in armament, removal of battery, starter and auxiliary wing fuel tanks saving 484 pounds.  Items reinstalled in service and N-5's were fully equipped]
P-40N-5    \    7437N    \    AC-34423    \    1100    \    Allison     \    V1710-81    \    The last 3,600 P-40N-1 airplanes,  redesignated with the following: landing gear book; revised pilot's seat; provisions for complete SCR-695 radio equipment; recognition lights; revised fuselage rear vision; provisions for wing bombs and wing fuel tanks; draft curtain; substitution of 27 inch magnesium wheels. [Armament increase, addition of auxiliary wing fuel tanks, wing racks to accommodate larger fuel tanks or bombs. Provision for trans Atlantic towing by B-17]
P-40N-6    \    7437N    \    AC-34423    \        \    Allison     \    V1710-81    \    Same as the P-40N-5 except for the installation of a reconnaissance camera in the fuselage.
P-40N-10    \    7437N    \    AC-34423    \    100    \    Allison     \    V1710-81    \    The last 3,500 P-40N-5 airplanes,  redesignated with due to the addition of winterization equipment, manual oil dilution and rate of climb indicator.
P-40N-15    \    7437N    \    AC-34423    \    377    \    Allison     \    V1710-81    \    Same as the P-40N-10 except for relocation of battery to a position forward of firewall and 1 landing light installation.
P-40N-16    \    7437N    \    AC-34423    \        \    Allison     \    V1710-81    \    Same as the P-40N-15 except for the installation of a reconnaissance camera in the fuselage.
P-40N-20    \    7437N    \    AC-34423    \    1523    \    Allison     \    V1710-99    \    Same as the P-40N-15 except for the following: V-1710-99 engine, which is the V-1710-81 engine plus the automatic engine control unit; installation of type A-1 bombsight.
P-40N-25    \    7437N    \    AC-34423    \    499    \    Allison     \    V1710-99    \    Same as the P-40N-20 except for a hinged instrument panel requiring new filtered vacuum system for the reinstallation of gyro horizon and flight indicator and vacuum turn and bank indicator to replace electric type.
P-40N-26    \    7437N    \    AC-34423    \        \    Allison     \    V1710-99    \    Same as the P-40N-25 except for the installation of a reconnaissance camera in the fuselage.
RP-40N-26    \    7437N    \    AC-34423    \    3    \    Allison     \    V1710-99    \    Three model P-40N airplanes redesignated due to modification into two place, dual control trainers.
P-40N-30    \    7437N    \    AC-34423    \    500    \    Allison     \    V1710-99    \    Same as the P-40N-25 except that it has the DV-8 oil cooler valve and the line surge valve in lieu of the Harrison rotary valve.
RP-40N-31    \    7437N    \    AC-34423    \    22    \    Allison     \    V1710-99    \    22 model P-40N airplanes redesignated due to modification into two place, dual control trainers.
P-40N-35    \    7437N    \    AC-34423    \    500    \    Allison     \    V1710-99    \    Similar to the P-40N-30 except for the following: Deletion of the carburetor cold air valve; revised fuel system; gun mount bolt change; deletion of SCR-535 radio mounting provisions; canopy changes; deletion of upward recognition light; addition of turn and bank ball on gunsight; connector plug replacement; SCR-695 radio modifications; 60 amp circuit breaker.
P-40N-40    \    7437N    \    AC-34423    \    1000    \    Allison     \    V1710-115    \    Similar to the P-40N-35 except for the following: Engine change; deletions of camouflage; 30 inch wheels; metal covered ailerons; gun camera mounting; alclad ammunition boxes.
RP-40N-40    \    7437N    \    AC-34423    \    5    \    Allison     \    V1710-115    \    P-40N-40 airplanes redesignated due to modification into two place, dual control trainers.
P-40P-1    \        \    AC-34423    \    1500    \    Packard    \    V1650-1    \    Cancelled - redesignated P-40N-1
XP-40Q    \        \        \    3    \    Allison     \    V1710-121    \    Standard P-40F's modified as follows: Free blown bubble type canopy; two stage engine in place of single stage; Ethylene glycol cooler moved from under the engine to a new location in the wing panels; one inboard gun removed from each wing to provide space for ethylene glycol cooler; new four bladed propeller. [Acceptance April 1944, wing tip redesigned]
P-40R-1    \    7437A    \        \    300    \    Allison     \    V1710-81    \    P-40F airplanes redesignated with engine change. [total of 300 planes modified in 1944]
P-40R-2    \    7437L    \        \    300    \    Allison     \    V1710-81    \    P-40L airplanes redesignated with engine change.  [total of 300 planes modified in 1944]
                                                
12th Edition                                                
Wing: Full cantilever design of multicellular all metal construction.  Split flap hydraulically actuated installed on wing trailing edge.  Ailerons are fabric covered.                                                
Fuselage: Monocoque structure, constructed of flush riveted aluminum alloy, attached to wing by means of bolts in shear.                                                
Empennage: The horizontal stabilizer and vertical fin are of multicellular construction, metal covered with flush riveted aluminum alloy.  Stabilizer constructed in one piece.  Basic structure of elevator and rudder is metal, covering is of fabric.                                                
Alighting Gear: Conventional type landing gear is fitted consisting of a single strut pneumatic oleo type hydraulically actuated retractable main gear and tail wheel.  Main gear rotates 90 degrees and retracts back into wing.                                                
                                                
Development    \                                            
Design initiated    \    March 1937                                        
Contract Date    \    July 1937                                        
First Flight    \    October 1938                                        
Contract Delivery Date    \    February 1938                                        
Actual Delivery Date    \    October 1938                                        
Production    \    May 1940                                        
                                                
Australian Archives Series A1695 control 272/209/EQ page 109, changes P-40N-30 to 35 to 40 as of August 1944.                                                
A    \    N-30 and N-35 have 27 inch landing wheels, N-40 will have 30 inch wheels                                        
B    \    N-30 has three downward and one upward recognition lights, N-35 and N-40 have three downward lights only                                        
C    \    Type N-30 is fitted with a model N2 gun sight aiming point camera and types N-35 and N-40 with a camera model N6                                        
D    \    N-30 had provision for SCR515 radio, this has been deleted from N-35 and N-40                                        
                                                
Australian Archives Chiefs of Staff report,  the P-40N-5 went from 7 to 9/16 inch wheel bolts, except the RAAF received a batch of them with 7/16 bolts in the 9/16 holes.                                                

[Dana Bell]

Hi Geoffrey,

 

Thanks for sharing the list.  The P-40A wasn't included, but it did exist.  At least two P-40s (no suffix) were modified as recon aircraft and assigned the P-40A designation.  Since they were modified "in house" they were not assigned contracts,

 

Cheers,

 

 

Dana