P-40 Warhawk
American P-40 with a shark's mouth painted on its nose
The P-40 has always been one of the most recognizable fighters of World War II. It is is thought by many to have been slow and obsolete from its inception, for which reason its role in the defense of the Pacific during the early years of the war has been minimized. The P-40 was probably a much better fighter than most observers believe. Although the P-40 couldn't out-maneuver the Japanese Zero (the Warhawk's main foe in the Pacific Theater), neither could the Spitfire, Hurricane, Lighting, Thunderbolt, Mustang, Wildcat, or Corsair, but that is never mentioned.
The P-40 began life in concept-form during 1937. It was at about this time that the United States government began to understand the position they were in. The Nazis were preparing to crush Europe and the Japanese were taking chunks out of China. US leaders realized that neutrality wouldn't last, and that the need for arms was great. Because of that, the Army Air Corps issued a specification for a new fighter that could be produced quickly.
Several aircraft companies threw their hat in the ring with various designs. Curtiss offered their P-40 design; Lockheed came with their P-38, and Bell with the P-39. When Curtiss won the contract, the other companies created an uproar. They believed the P-40 was obsolete, since much of it was based on an older design. The P-40 was actually the same design as the previous P-36, but the engine and other vital components were new, which increased performance dramatically.
Two myths about the P-40 were that it was slow and not maneuverable. Compared to later American and German aircraft with 400+ mph top speeds, a mere 345 mph at 15,000 feet (the top speed of the P-40C) doesn't seem that impressive. But remember, in 1940-41 the P-40’s top-speed essentially matched that of the British Spitfire 1A (346 mph at 15,000 feet) and the German Bf-109E (348 mph at 14,560 feet), and even surpassed the Japanese A6M-21 Zero (331 mph at 14,930 feet).
Following its acceptance by the Army Air Corps in 1940, the P-40 was quickly produced and sent to several American air bases. There, the pilots were glad to get new aircraft. The British also received P-40s and matched it against the legendary Messerschmitt Bf-109 (German).
