Curtis Kittyhawk / Warhawk P 40, NZ 3201 to 3250, 1942 to 1948, Part 5

Design:
Glen Curtis

Company:
Curtis
Curtis – Wright Corp

Developed from:
P 36

Wing Span:
37 ft 3 ½ in 11.37 M

Wing Area:
236 sq ft 21.90 Sq M

Length:

P 40 B
31 ft 8 ½ in 9.66 M

P 40 N
33 ft 4 in 10.6 M

Height:
12 ft 4 in 3.66 M

Ceiling:

P 40 B
32,400 ft 9,875 M

P 40 N
38,000 ft 11,582 M

Speed: at 15,000 ft

P 40 B
352 MPH 566 KPH

P 40 N
343 MPH 553 KPH

Range:

P 40 B
730 Miles 1,175 Km

P 40 N
750 Miles 1,207 Km

T/O Weight:
7,450 lb 3,424 Kg

Empty Weight:

P 40 B
5,590 lb 2,536 Kg

P 40 N
6,000 lb 2,722 Kg

Entered Service:
June 1941

Crew:
1 Pilot

Role:
Fighter
Fighter / Bomber

Total Manufactured:
13,738 All Marks

First Flight:
Oct 1938

Armament:

P40 B
4 x .30 in machine guns in wings
2 x .50 in machine guns in forward fuselage

P40 N
6 x .5 in machine guns in wings
Up to
1500 lb -680 Kg bombs external/under wing

Years Served:
1942 to 1948

Qty Served:
297

Tail Nos

P40 E NZ 3001 to NZ 3044
NZ 3091 to NZ 3107
NZ 3271

P40 K NZ 3045 to NZ 3065
NZ 3090 to NZ 3108

P40 L NZ 3074

P40 M NZ 3066 to NZ 3073
NZ 3075 to NZ 3089
NZ 3109 to NZ 3119
NZ 3180

P40 N NZ 3120 to NZ 3179
NZ 3181 to NZ 3270
NZ 3272 to NZ 3293

First flight on 14 Oct 1938, the radial engine of a P 38A Hawk was replaced
with an Allison V-1710 – 19 air-cooled in-line engine of 1,040 Hp

The Warhawk made its name in China with the American Volunteer Group
“ The Flying Tigers” where they began operations against the Japanese in late 1941.

The P 40 D had an engine change to the Allison V – 1710- 30,
the fuselage guns removed and the wing guns changed to .5 in,

These were known as “ Kittyhawk 1s”,
the E used a Roll Royce Merlin 28 engine to achieve a top speed of 373 MPH [600 KPH]

All Lend-Lease aircraft

Price $ US 77,706.00 ea

P40N also known as Warhawk

On the way to Norfolk Island

ENGINE

image source
Type:

P40 – E-K-M-N Allison

P40 – L Packard

P40 – E V1710 – 39 [F3R]

P40 – K V1790 – 73 [F4R]

P40 – M-N V1790 – 81

P40 – L V1650 – 1 [copy of R R Merlin 28]

12 cylinder, 60^ vee, in-line, liquid cooled, single supercharger

Horse Power:
1390 HP 1.040 kW

Bore:
5.4 in 137.2 mm

Stroke:
6.0 in 152.4 mm

Volume:
1649 cu in 27.04 L

Compression Ratio:
6: 1

Max RPM:

Fuel:
100 octane
after mid 1944 130/150 octane

Length:
88.7 in 2,253 mm

Height:
40 in 1,016 mm

Width:
30.8 in 781 mm

Weight:
1645 lb 746 Kg

Power to Weight Ratio:
100 octane 0.80 hp/lb
130/150 octane 1.21 hp/lb

Flown By:

In South Pacific

15 Sqn Tonga
14 Sqn 15 Sqn 16 Sqn
17 Sqn 18 Sqn 19 Sqn

Not Flown in South Pacific

2 [F] OTU Ohakea Apr-Jun 1942
20 Sqn 21 Sqn 22 Sqn
4 [F] OTU Ardmore Mar 1944
Fighter Gunnery School Gisborne Apr 1944
2 FOCU Ohakea

OTU = Operational Training Unit
B O C = Brought On Charge
Dumbo = Usually a Catalina, rescue flight
RTP = Reduced To Produce, scrapped
U/C = Undercarriage
A/C = Aircraft
MOTAT = Museum Of Transport And Technology
Sqn = Squadron
FOCU = Fighter Operational Training Unit
RD = Repair Depot
Inst = Instructional Non-Flying Airframe

14 Sqn Code Letter HQ and AX at Ohakea
15 Sqn JZ
16 Sqn XO
17 Sqn
18 Sqn LV
19 Sqn
20 Sqn NH

NZ 3201

Mark: P40N-15
Constructors No.: 30163
USAAF No.: 42-106401
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 24 Nov 1943
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3202

Mark: P40N-15
Constructors No.: 30165
USAAF No.: 42-106403
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 24 Nov 1943
Code letter/No.: 78
To 2 OTU Ohakea
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3203

Mark: P40N-15
Constructors No.: 30166
USAAF No.: 42-106404
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 24 Nov 1943
To 4 OTU Ohakea Sep4 1944
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3204

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 30168
USAAF No.: 42-106406
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 24 Nov 1943
To 4 OTU Ohakea
Dived into ground during operational
Training sortie
Pilot parachuted to safety 5 Aug 1944

NZ 3205

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 30169
USAAF No.: 42-106407
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 24 Nov 1943
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3206

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 30171
USAAF No.: 42-106409
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 24 Nov 1943
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3207

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 30172
USAAF No.: 42-106410
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 24 Nov 1943
To 17 Sqn
Shot down by enemy flak and
Crashed into sea while operating
From Bougainville 8 Jun 1944
Written off at Bougainville

NZ 3208

Mark: P40N-20
Construction No.: 30183
USAAF No.: 42-106421
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 24 Nov 1943
To 2 OTU Ohakea
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3209

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 30178
USAAF No.: 42-106416
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 24 Nov 1943
To 4 OTU Ohakea
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

image source

NZ 3210

Mark: P40N-20
Construction No.: 30180
USAAF No.: 42-106418
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 24 Nov 1943
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3211

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 30181
USAAF No.: 42-106422
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 24 Nov 1943
To 2 Support Unit New Georgia
Taxing accident New Georgia 12 Jan 1944
Written off 31 Jan 1944

NZ 3212

Mark: P40N-20
Construction No.: 30184
USAAF No.: 42-106422
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 24 Nov 1943
To 19 Sqn
Disappeared on ferry flight from Guadalcanal
To Espiritu Santo
This A/C was part of a flight of 18 A/C that
Entered a large cumulus cloud
The flight was split and this A/C was never
Seen again 24 Apr 1944
F/O Henry Veint missing presumed killed
Written off at Guadalcanal

NZ 3213

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No,: 30186
USAAF No.: 42-106424
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 24 Nov 1943
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3214

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 30187
USAAF No.: 42-106425
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 24 Nov 1943
To 4 OTU Ohakea Sep 1944
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3215

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 30693
USAAF No.: 43-22954
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 24 Nov 1943
Code letter / No,: N
To 17 Sqn
Hit by flak during strafing run over
Cape St George
Crashed into sea 1 Jun 1944
W/O Bruce Mc Hardie killed
Written off at Bougainville

NZ 3216

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 30895
USAAF No.: 43-22956
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 4 Nov 1943
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3217

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 30898
USAAF No.: 43-22959
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 4 Nov 1943
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3218

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No: 30899
USAAF No.: 43-22960
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 4 Nov 1943
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3219

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 30900
USAAF No.: 43-22961
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 4 Nov 1943
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

While at 4 S U

image source

NZ 3220

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 30901
USAAF No.: 43-22962
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 4 Nov 1943
Named: Gloria Lyons [3rd so named]
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948
Sold to John Smith stored at Mapua

NZ 3221

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 30902
USAAF No.: 43-22963
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 4 Nov 1943
To 2 OTU Ohakea
Mid air with Kittyhawks NZ 3012 and
NZ 3061 during training flight 14 Nov 1944
Written off at Ohakea 22 Nov 1944

NZ 3222

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 30903
USAAF NO.: 43-22964
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 4 Nov 1943
During test flight the A/C was flying so
Low the propeller tip hit the sea.
The engine vibration caused the pilot to
Bailout with insufficient height for the
Parachute to deploy.The A/C crashed into
The sea near Waiheke Island 1045 on 1 Jan 1944
Sgt William Russell killed
Written off at Ardmore 25 Jan 1944

NZ 3223

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 30904
USAAF No.: 43-22965
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 4 Nov 1943
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3224

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 30905
USAAF No.: 43-22966
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 4 Nov 1943
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3225

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 30906
USAAF No.: 43-22967
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 4 Nov 1943
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3226

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 30907
USAAF No.: 43-22968
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 4 Nov 1943
To 2 OTU Ohakea
Mid-air with Kittyhawk NZ 3073 during
Formation flying practice
Hit NZ 3073s wing tip and fell out of control,
Into the ground near Bulls 1 Sep 1943
F/O Alexander Cruikshank killed
Written off at Ohakea

NZ 3227

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 30908
USAAF No.: 43-22969
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 4 Nov 1943
Ferried from Whenuapai to Guadalcanal by Pat Tennent,
Departed 25 Jan 1944
To 14 Sqn
To 16 Sqn
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3228

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 30909
USAAF No.: 43-22970
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 4 Nov 1943
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3229

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 30910
USAAF No.: 43-22971
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 4 Nov 1943
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3230

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 30912
USAAF No.: 43-22973
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 4 Nov 1943
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3231

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 31592
USAAF No.: 43-23653
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 3 Feb 1944
To 1 Support Unit Guadalcanal
Crash landed at Guadalcanal 4 Apr 1944
Written off at Guadalcanal

NZ 3232

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 31589
USAAF No: 43-23650
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 3 Feb 1944
To 2 OTU Ohakea
Crash Landed on Mt Stewart,
5 miles east of Ohakea 8 Feb 1945
Written off at Ohakea 19 Feb 1945

NZ 3233

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 31590
USAAF No.: 43-23651
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 3 Feb 1944
To 1 Support Unit Guadalcanal
Overturned while landing at Guadalcanal 15 Apr 1944
Written off at Guadalcanal

NZ 3234

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 31664
USAAF No.: 43-23725
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 3 Feb 1944
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3235

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 31593
USAAF No.: 43-23654
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 3 Feb 1944
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3236

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 31661
USAAF No.: 43-23722
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 3 Feb 1944
To 2 OTU Ohakea
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3237

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 31659
USAAF No.: 43-23720
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 3 Feb 1944
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3238

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 31658
USAAF No.: 43-23719
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 3 Feb 1944
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3239

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 31586
USAAF No.: 43-23647
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 3 Feb 1944
To 16 Sqn
Hit by flak at Kieta, suffered engine failure
Pilot bailed out 10 miles East of Nussi Point
And was rescued by “Dumbo” Catalina
F/O A Tucker
Written off at Bougainville

NZ 3240

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 31595
USAAF No.: 43-23656
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 3 Feb 1944
Damaged during training flight at
Ardmore 10 Mar 1944
Converted to Inst 93 at Ardmore
Reverted back to NZ 3240 Dec 1944

NZ 3241

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 31671
USAAF No.: 43-23732
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 3 Feb 1944
U/C collapsed landing at Green Island 23 Apr 1944
F/L M Jones uninjured
Written off at Bougainville

NZ 3242

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 31662
USAAF No.: 43-23623
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 3 Feb 1944
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3243

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 31584
USAAF No.: 43-23645
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 3 Feb 1944
To 4 OTU Ohakea Sep 1944
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3244

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 31596
USAAF No.: 43-23657
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 3 Feb 1944
To 2 OTU Ohakea
Engine fire in flight at Ohakea 25 Apr 1944
Written off at Ohakea 17 May 1944

NZ 3245

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 31583
USAAF No.: 43-23644
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 3 Feb 1944
Code letter/No.: 245
To 2 OTU Ohakea
Crash landing at Ohakea 30 Nov 1944
Repaired and returned to service
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3246

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 31587
USAAF No.: 43-23648
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 3 Feb 1944
To 2 OTU Ohakea
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3247

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 31139
USAAF No.: 43-23200
B O C Unit 36 No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 9 Feb 1944
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3248

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 31142
USAAF No.: 43-23203
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 3 Feb 1944
To 16 Sqn Ardmore
During low flying exercise the A/C
Struck the sea and was ditched in the
Hauraki Gulf
P/O J Gillam uninjured
Rescued by Walrus Amphibian 30 Jun 1944
Written off at Ardmore 6 Jul 1944
NZ 3249

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 31169
USAAF No.: 43-23230
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 9 Feb 1944
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 3250

Mark: P40N-20
Constructors No.: 31170
USAAF No.: 43-23231
B O C No 1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville 9 Feb 1944
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Unsourced photos through the Ohakea Museum

with thanks to son-of-satire for the banner