P40

[bozon]

The P-40 was not only the american workhorse, it also looked like an a s s (aka donkey for the moderators)  - and I don't mean this like the P47 that was so ugly that it is beautiful. American planes are not known for their fine figure, but damn this one was beaten with the ugly stick.

[Old Sport]

The P-40 was not only the american workhorse, it also looked like an a s s (aka donkey for the moderators)  - and I don't mean this like the P47 that was so ugly that it is beautiful. American planes are not known for their fine figure, but damn this one was beaten with the ugly stick.

Well, even in '48 Boris Senior was contemplating buying 50 P-40's in So Africa for the fledgling IAF, but instead they got the Avia S 199,   



which might also fit your discription Boz...     'specially since it bore the name "Mezek" or mule!!   

I read a book by Senior (called New Heavens) who was very impressed with the P-40's ruggedness, even later in WWII. I don't remember if he was shot down (maybe by flak) or had a mechanical problem, but he went down in a P-40 in WWII, and still thought the bird was quite rugged.

Best.

[Bubbajj]

The P-40 was not only the american workhorse, it also looked like an a s s (aka donkey for the moderators)  - and I don't mean this like the P47 that was so ugly that it is beautiful. American planes are not known for their fine figure, but damn this one was beaten with the ugly stick.

Are you nuts? The P 40 is one of the most gorgeous fighters ever made. Slap some tiger teeth on it and it's all business. I fly em, knowing I'm gonna get shot down, simply cause the look so cool.

[oboe]

I once survived a 4-v-1 in a P-40E taking much damage and killing 3 of the 4 (making the 4th run home). Rare for me, but a really great fight that I won despite bad numbers. In the fight I got 1 flap jammed in 1 position, and the other in another. Just barely managed to finish off the last guy, or he broke off and later crashed, or something.

It made RTB home very.... "interesting" (it was an entire sector over water), especially considering it made my flying speed extremely slow.

This is the kind  of stuff that keeps me coming back to AH I think.  Kill a couple and then struggle home with a damaged bird.  <S> P40 and Krusty.   

[Oldman731]

This is the kind  of stuff that keeps me coming back to AH I think.  Kill a couple and then struggle home with a damaged bird.  <S> P40 and Krusty.   

Oh yeah?  So...where you been?

- oldman

[FBLazy1]

P40 is a fun plane. 

[oboe]

Oh yeah?  So...where you been?

- oldman

Greets Oldman!   I'm still fly whenever I have the opportunity but have taken a new job and am travelling quite a bit.  You still terrorizing the skies of the AvA?   

[Oldman731]

You still terrorizing the skies of the AvA?   

Of course.  Spreading fear wherever I fly.

- oldman

"Hey, isn't that Oldman's plane?"

"Yeah!  DIBS!"

[STEELE]

Yes, the p40 flaps jam from 1 ping everytime, and a lot of times they both get nailed by 1 small hit. Not feeling its infamous engine and cockpit armor's effects either, as it will oil in 1 ping as well

[CAP1]

Yes, the p40 flaps jam from 1 ping everytime, and a lot of times they both get nailed by 1 small hit. Not feeling its infamous engine and cockpit armor's effects either, as it will oil in 1 ping as well

none of what you just said has been my experience in the pee40. i find it to be a very very enjoyable(even if somewhat underpowered) plane to fly, and fight in.

[Soulyss]

Robert Dehaven from the 7th FS/49th FG certainly appreciated the P-40's rugged construction.

As I pulled up a Tony behind me shot away my rudder control.  With no rudder control I was forced to aileron roll straight down until my speed was well over 400 miles per hour.  On the first or second roll I observed one enemy fighter strike the ground about fifteen miles west of Alexishafen - and later found out that it had been shot down by another one of our pilots.  As I neared the ground he Tony was still on my tail.  The Japanese pilot was very good at his job and he systematically shot out my hydraulics, radio, and left guns.  I straightened out and headed for a low cloud formation against the foothills near our base at Gusap.  The Tony was still on me, but he suddenly broke off to the right and pulled away.

Whatever the case I returned to base. I couldn't get the gear down so I belly landed.  My plane was a total wreck. I have no idea whether that Tony pilot claimed me as a victory, but he certainly had a legitimate right because my airplane was forced to crash land and was totally wiped out.  I survived, which was the main thing.  They gave me some whiskey, which was most welcome, and I think I slept for about twenty four hours.  The Japanese were certainly shooting back that day.

[Krusty]

none of what you just said has been my experience in the pee40. i find it to be a very very enjoyable(even if somewhat underpowered) plane to fly, and fight in.

As an on-again, off-again P-40E pilot for many many years (early on in AH1) I can say without a doubt 99% of all hits take out 1 of my flaps. 99% of all SECOND hits take out the OTHER.

I actually took a hit the past month WITHOUT losing a flap -- I was flabbergasted! It had almost never happened before! I grinned and enjoyed the rare treat.

[5PointOh]

Non, but same goes for a spitfire, a P51, an LA7 etc.  I have not seen any of those either.  Does that mean their flaps get stuck after a single ping?  Try a P40 for a few runs and tell me what happens

Scroll to the bottom of this page, there are some nice AAR about the 51 pilots use of flaps.


http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/mustang/combat-reports.html