Curtiss P-40E-1-CU or P-40K-1-CU Warhawk 1.0.3

Curtiss P-40E-1-CU or P-40K-1-CU Warhawk. 

Updates

4/7/2021  Version 1.0.3:  Redid UV maps and normals in 4096x4096 for all exterior textures.  Remapped to all exterior textures.  Eliminated multiple distortions and misplacements. New mapping will not work on prior versions of the model.  

4/7/2021  Version 1.0.3:  Added working magneto-battery switch, added foot-starter, separated rudder-brake pedals to proper spacing.

The Curtiss P-40 has become one of the most famous and used aircraft of the Second World War. Between 1941 and 1944 he also played a key role in many operational theaters from North Africa to Italy, from China to the South Pacific. Characterized by a very robust and reliable aerodynamic structure, the Curtiss P-40 was equipped with an Allison V-12 engine with a single stage mechanical supercharger, capable of delivering more than 1,150 HP up to 16,000 ft.  It had a service ceiling of over 28,000 ft but above 20,000 ft it was inferior in climbing ability to the Bf 109 and Fw 190, however it could out turn and out dive both. Below 15,000 ft and below 250 mph it out-performs both a Bf-109 and a P-51. It served as air superiority fighter and fighter bomber. Used by U.S. fighter squadrons and, as Kittyhawk, by Commonwealth Air Forces, the P-40E was heavily armed with six 50-cal. M2 Browning machine guns installed in the wings. Furthermore, thanks to its under wings hardpoints, able to carry nearly 500 lbs. of bombs, it for close air support.

Between 1941 and 1944, the P-40 played a critical role with Allied air forces in three major theaters: North Africa, the Southwest Pacific, and China. It also had a significant role in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, Alaska and Italy. The P-40’s performance at high altitudes was not as important in those theaters, where it served as an air superiority fighter, bomber escort and fighter-bomber. 

The P-40 performed surprisingly well as an air superiority fighter, at times suffering severe losses, but also inflicting a very heavy toll on enemy aircraft. Based on war-time victory claims, over 200 Allied fighter pilots from 7 different nations (United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, the United States, and the Soviet Union) became aces flying the P-40, with at least 20 double aces mostly in the North Africa, China-Burma-India, Pacific and Russian Front theaters. The P-40 offered the additional advantage of low cost, which kept it in production as a ground-attack aircraft long after it was obsolete as a fighter.

DISCLAIMER & COPYRIGHT

The accompanying files should not harm your computer in any way but, if you believe they have, I accept no liability.  

The files are released as "freeware" and are not to be re-distributed in exchange for any payment, fee or other value.

Permission to repaint and repost is granted as long as original readme is posted and author is acknowledged.

This file is copyrighted to W. E. Stephens ©2020.

AIRCRAFT SPECIFICATIONS (P-40K-1)

Span:  37ft 3.5in.
Length 31ft 8.5in.
Height 12ft 4ins.
Wing Area, 236 sq. ft
Weight: 8,400lb. (max.)

Armament: Six .50-cal. machine guns plus one 500 lbs. bomb 
Engines: one Allison V-1710-73 with 1,325hp at takeoff
Crew: 1

PERFORMANCE

Maximum speed: 362mph at 15,000ft
Initial Climb: 2,000 ft per min.
Cruising speed: 290mph
Service Ceiling: 28,000ft
Combat range, 700 miles

Aircraft Represented:

1. Curtiss P-40K-1-CU “Yellow 55” typical P-40 in an advanced training squadron. USA 1943.

2. Curtiss P-40K-1-CU (serial number 42-45979) “Pistoff” 49th Fighter Group (FG) (“Fighting 49ers”), 7th Pursuit Squadron (PS) United States Army Air Force (USAAF), Dododura, Buna, New Guinea, 1943. Flown by Lt. Donald H. Lee, Jr.

Here is a nice write up on Lt. Lee and “Pistoff” with the 49th FG.
P-40 Fighter Pilot: Fighting for His Life - Warfare History Network

3. Curtiss P-40E (serial number unknown but listed as 11456) “White 7” 29th Fighter Group (FG), United States Army Air Force (USAAF), China, September 1942. Flown by Lt. Col. Robert Scott, Commanding Officer (CO) 29th FG.  He called the fighter “Old Exterminator” but that was never painted on the aircraft.  Col. Scott is the author of “God Is My Co-Pilot”.  Col. Scott is credited with 10 kills in P-40s.  It was standard practice in the CBI that the serial numbers were painted out.

Robert Lee Scott Jr. - Wikipedia

4. Curtiss P-40K-1-CU (serial number 42-46040) “White 13", (V for Victory …-) 57th Fighter Group (FG) (First in the Blue), 64th Fighter Squadron (Black Scorpions), Tunisia, May 1943.  Capt. R. J. “Jay” Overcash.  Capt. Overcash, achieved 5 victories including 2 in a day while on an escort mission against the Africa Korps in May 1943.

Updates: 

4/7/2021  Version 1.0.3:  Redid UV maps and normals in 4096x4096 for all exterior textures.  Remapped to all exterior textures.  Eliminated multiple distortions and misplacements. New mapping will not work on prior versions of the model.  

4/7/2021  Version 1.0.3:  Added working magneto-battery switch, added foot-starter, separated rudder-brake pedals to proper spacing.

W. E. Stephens
[email protected]
December 27, 2020