P-40B

[Widewing]

A P-40 that performs, like a P-51D that turns, would probably be so ruinously popular it would have to be perked, thus... 

Yeah, that would be like introducing the P-40Q.... 400+ mph, turns like a P-40E. 

I think that the P-40s would see more use if the performance modeling were corrected. Still, they are early-war fighters and would not see a lot of use, except by those who simply like P-40s and those who enjoy the challenge of flying a 1941 fighter in an arena buzzing with late-war monsters.

[BnZs]

Yeah, that would be like introducing the P-40Q.... 400+ mph, turns like a P-40E. 

I think that the P-40s would see more use if the performance modeling were corrected. Still, they are early-war fighters and would not see a lot of use, except by those who simply like P-40s and those who enjoy the challenge of flying a 1941 fighter in an arena buzzing with late-war monsters.

It's a dead sexy American legend, like the P-51. Like the P-51, I expect it would see far more use than its abilities actually warrant, if it were not positively handicapped. But yes, I admit it would never take over the LWMA, and that is the only MA that counts at this point.

[Krusty]

Not even the best P-40 approached P-51 speeds.

XP-40Q was a stripped down testbed prototype... might as well consider it in the same class as the prototypes of the P-39 for all the difference between prototypes and production war-time models.

[Widewing]

Not even the best P-40 approached P-51 speeds.

XP-40Q was a stripped down testbed prototype... might as well consider it in the same class as the prototypes of the P-39 for all the difference between prototypes and production war-time models.

Three were built, and the design eventually evolved into the final configuration. One was built from a P-40N, and the other two were converted from P-40Ks. They were not stripped down, but were fitted with all Government provided equipment. Aero wise, drag was reduced and the 1,425 (takeoff) hp Allison worked very well. A very similar version would later power most P-82 Twin Mustangs. It could manage 422 mph, not as fast as the P-51, but vastly quicker than the typical P-40.

[Widewing]

Not even the best P-40 approached P-51 speeds.

XP-40Q was a stripped down testbed prototype... might as well consider it in the same class as the prototypes of the P-39 for all the difference between prototypes and production war-time models.

Another net caused double-post..... You guys need a better connection to the web.

[Krusty]

Three were built, and the design eventually evolved into the final configuration. One was built from a P-40N, and the other two were converted from P-40Ks. They were not stripped down, but were fitted with all Government provided equipment. Aero wise, drag was reduced and the 1,425 (takeoff) hp Allison worked very well. A very similar version would later power most P-82 Twin Mustangs. It could manage 422 mph, not as fast as the P-51, but vastly quicker than the typical P-40.

I've seen photos and diagrams of the XP-40Q... It's nothingl ike the P-40N or K. It is longer, thinner, has a totally redesigned frame, a bubbletop canopy, etc.


I can't see how they were "based" on existing models at all. It must have been built from scratch, surely?

[Widewing]

I've seen photos and diagrams of the XP-40Q... It's nothingl ike the P-40N or K. It is longer, thinner, has a totally redesigned frame, a bubbletop canopy, etc.


I can't see how they were "based" on existing models at all. It must have been built from scratch, surely?

As I said, they were conversions of two P-40Ks and a P-40N. Modifications were no more dramatic than that of converting a standard P-51B-1-NA into the XP-51D.

[BaDkaRmA158Th]

It all comes down to whom was giving whom the hand jobs, and the "envelope with XXX amounts of thousands of dollars" for the contracts.


Argue all you want, cant beat humanity..or its greed.