Author Topic: not a new aircraft, but how about a replacement? (Read 299 times)

paulieb · « **on:** October 22, 2002, 12:31:33 PM »

And of course, I'm talking about P-40s yet again. The B is terribly outclassed in the MA. How hard could it be to model a K. L or N model in the B colors (AVG DID use them)? Does anyone else like flying in the Flying Tigers livery, but is getting really tired of getting killed every sortie?

Wilbus · « **Reply #1 on:** October 22, 2002, 12:54:00 PM »

Fly something else? Sure lots of people say the same about their early war rides. Lots and lots of planes are terribly outclassed in the MA.

J_A_B · « **Reply #2 on:** October 22, 2002, 01:38:30 PM »

The only other P-40 the AVG used was the P-40E. If you want to get technical, the AVG didn't actually use the P-40B either but a unique hybrid of P-40.

J_A_B

whgates3 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 22, 2002, 01:50:26 PM »

you can fly the E & still be in an AVG bird - AVG got Es in march '42

paulieb · « **Reply #4 on:** October 22, 2002, 06:07:15 PM »

Actually, I have seen quite a bit of conflicting evidence regarding what P-40s the AVG flew. They started with a VARIANT of the P-40 B with hand built engines, then got some E's, K's, and L's. Not sure about the N model. How to tell the difference: the P-40s up to the C model were "small-mouthed", meaning the "chin" under the engine was considerably smaller. From the E model on up, they were of the "large mouth" variety. I have seen vintage photographs of AVG birds that clearly show the large mouth configuration.The confusion seems to arise when the AVG ended and the 23rd FG began. Whatever the case, the planes still sported the shark mouth, and are considered by many to be Flying Tigers.
Even though the early war models are pretty inferior, I found a site once that showed data to suggest that the L, M and N model, and to a lesser extent the K, were quite capable against 109s and the like(as used in the desert campaign).
So again, I ask how hard could it be to give us P-40 fans a plane that has some hope of hanging in the MA? The Corsair folks have a variety to choose from, as do the 109 and 190 fans.

brady · « **Reply #5 on:** October 22, 2002, 07:27:17 PM »

Why dont you come in to the CT this week, and Fly the P40E aganst 109E's and 202's.

J_A_B · « **Reply #6 on:** October 23, 2002, 12:47:12 AM »

I find it highly unlikely that any P-40K's served with the AVG. The first one wasn't completed until August 1942.

P-40K's DID serve with the Chinese airforce through lend-lease (probably the source of the confusion), but by that time the AVG had been disbanded and merged into the USAAF.

J_A_B

whgates3 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 23, 2002, 01:52:48 AM »

a lot of time the AVG and the Flying Tigers are considered synonymous term and i think it may lead to confusion - people confusing the AVG w/ the 23rd fighter group, who took over for the AVG in the CBI theater in July-August '42...the 23rd fighter group was still called the Flying Tigers, but they were USAAF pilots, not Chang Kai Shek's mercenaries

paulieb · « **Reply #8 on:** October 23, 2002, 07:52:07 PM »

On some further research, everything I've found only appears to further cloud the issue of what 40s served the AVG or 23rd. It appears that the AVG got some E's, and the later variants were assigned to the 23rd, which still sported the AVG sharkmouth. The 23rd did have some AVG pilots who remained, but most were regular USAAF.

There is some conjecture as to just how different some of these planes were... hot rodded engines, customized (juryrigged) armament, etc., down to some later planes being repaired using parts from cannabalized B's and E's.

I think now that this may explain why some (including me)get confused as to which type was which, what with some repaired planes flying with a mixture of different gun types, B cowls fitted to N models, stuff like that.

Anyways, the original point remains... for those of us who ARE fans of the P-40 (and in my opinion, it is a sweet aircraft to fly, at least in AH), why can't HiTech model us a K - N model? I mean, just look how many 109 and 190 types we have!!