Originally posted by SlapShot
http://www.ophetweb.nl/ww2w/ww2htmls/curtp40.html
Curtiss P-40D Warhawk
The availability of the Allison V-1710-39 (F3R) enabled the designers of Curtiss to improve their model 81 (P-40). Although rated the same (at 1,150 hp, 857 kW) it maintained this rating into higher altitudes, and for an emergency rating of 1,470 hp (1095 kW). The guns in the nose had to be removed, and the placement of the caburetor inlet and radiator could be improved. Also a redesigned rear fuselage improved the field of vision for the pilot. The surviving aircraft were redesignated RP-40D in 1943
Number built: 23
Curtiss P-40E Warhawk
This version was identical to the P-40D, but had 6 × 0.50 inch (12,7mm) guns wing mounted
Number built: 870
According to "The Spitfire, Mustang, and Kittyhawk in Australian Service" by Stewart Wilson 1988 (page 136-137), it lists total P-40E-1/Kittyhawk 1A production as 1,500 with 820 delivered to the USAAF. It would be interesting to find the actual total.
Anyone have a good site with P40E specs? This one says a P40F "Kittyhawk II" had 6 .50 caliber guns mounted on the wings and cowl guns removed. What are the major diffs between the E and F models?
The P-40F (Kittyhawk II)had a Packard Merlin V-1650-1 producing 1,300hp for takeoff, and able to sustain 1,120hp at 18,500 a substanial improvement over the Allison engined models (at that point) Max speed remained about the same as the P-40E, but time to height was substantially reduced. Internal fuel was increased slighty to 131imp gallons/595 litres (plus provision for increased external belly tanks including a 144 gallon/655 litre unit). The incorporation of a small dorsal fin, and a rear fuselage lengthened by 19in/48cm under the tail plane. The fin and rudder moved aft to counter a violent swing on takeoff and a general instability.
Curtis P-40E-1 Kittyhawk 1A (Curtis Model 87A-3)
Powerplant: 1 x Allison v-1710-39 12 cylinder liquid cooled engine rated at 1,150hp for t/o, and at 11,700ft; Curtis electric 3 bladed constant-speed propeller of 11ft 0in/3.36m diameter;
internal fuel capacity 124imp gal/564 litres, provision for 1x43imp gal/197 lt drop tank
Dimensions: Wing span 37ft 3.5in/11.37m; length 31ft 9in/9.68m; height 12ft 4in/3.76m; wing area 236sq ft/21.92m2
Armament: Six 0.50in/12.7mm Colt-Browning machine guns with 281rpg (average); provision for 1 x 500lb/227kg Bomb under fuselage
Performance: Max Speed 335mph/539kmph at 5,000ft, 362mph/582kmph at 15,000ft;
max cruise 296mph/476kmph at 5,000ft, 312mph/502kmph at 15,000ft;
intial climb 2,050ft/625m per min; time to 20,000ft 13.0min;
service ceiling 29,000ft/8,8399m;
range with internal fuel 670mls/1,078km, with drop tank 900mls/1,448km
Tronsky
