RE: P-40 MTO operations

Actually, the first operator to employ the Shark’s Mouth was not the Flying Tigers as is widely believed. It was the Royal Air Force and I believe 112 Squadron. I can’t remember the exact squadron number. Anyway, 112 Squadron operated P-40’s in the North African (MTO) theater. In the very early days after the formation of the Flying Tigers, the aircraft hadn’t been painted with Shark Mouths. One of the Flying Tiger pilots saw a shark mouth painted on an RAF P-40 in the African desert (presumably 112 Squadron), on the cover of some magazine. He brought up the idea of Shark Mouths for their aircraft, probably because it just seemed like a neat idea. One reason, is widey believe, is that they did it because the Japanese are afraid of sharks.

As for the stories I have, I believe they center around the 325 FG (Fighter Group) was flew missions in North Africa and on up into southern Europe. I’m at school now and the book isn’t with me, but later on, I’ll have the stories up. I remember that in two different combat air patrols, the 325th’s P-40’s (P-40F’s and later P-40L’s) were ambushed with two to one odds, and they ended up destroying a large portion of enemy fighters while only losing one or two. Keep in mind that avg numbers for these two particular missions was about 40 Germans against 20-25 P-40’s. Generall speaking about half of the German force was shot down while only one or two P-40’s in each instance were downed. That is pretty impressive. Also keep in mind that this was against the Bf-109, and aircraft that I consider the P-40 to be capable of tackling.

That brings up my next point. The P-40 was one of the greatest fighters of the war, yet many times it never gets the credit it deserves. I suppose the same would apply to the Hurricane and to a lesser extent, the Wildcat. I’ve seen everything to indicate that a pilot in a well flown P-40 was a formidable opponent. The only true bad point of the aircraft was its somewhat sluggish high-altitude performance. This was somewhat remedied in later variants, though the P-40 was never ideal up high. One aircraft that I think the P-40 could dominate was the Zero, no matter which version. Take a P-40N and A6M5 for example. The Warhawk is much more durable, it is much faster, dives much quicker, and is better armed.

RE: P-40 MTO operations

Thanks guys, I’ll look into that stuff. I take it no one wants to discuss this then?

RE: P-40 MTO operations

Anyone?

RE: Swordfish

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 26-03-02 AT 10:31 PM (GMT)]Here’s the info I’ve got on the definitive version.

Aircraft: Swordfish Mk. II
Company: Fairey
Type: Two/Three-seat torpedo bomber
Powerplant: One 750-hp Bristol Pegasus XXX nine-cylinder radial piston engine
First Flight: 1934 (T.S.R.II prototype)
Dimensions: Length- 35 ft. 8 in.
Height- 12 ft. 4 in.
Span- 45 ft. 6 in.
Weights: Empty- 4,700 lb.
Max Take-Off- 7,510 lb.
Maximum Speed: 155 mph-(wheels) / 135 mph-(floats)
Cruise Speed: 105 mph
Maximum Range: 1,030 miles
Maximum Rate of Climb: 1,000 feet per minute
Armament: (Fixed) One Browning 7.7-mm (.303 cal.) machine gun firing forward.
(Flexible) One Vickers K 7.7-mm (.303 cal.) machine gun firing to the rear.
Warload: Up to 1,610-lb. of ordnance on three external hardpoints.
Weapons List: (1) 1,610-lb. (18-inch) torpedo
(1) 1,500-lb. mine
(4) depth charges
(8) 60-lb. HVAR’s (High-Velocity Aircraft Rockets)
(4) 100-lb. bombs (4) 250-lb. bombs (3) 500-lb. bombs

NOTES: The torpedo or mine was carried under the fuselage hardpoint. The depth charges and 100/250-lb. bombs were fitted with two under the centerline and one under each wing. The 500-lb. bombs were fitted with one under the centerline and one under each wing. The rockets were fitted on special rails with four under each wing. If I remember correctly, the Mk. III was actually the variant that used rockets, in the U-Boat killing role, and the centerline hardpoint was replaced with a podded radar to detect the U-Boats. Interesting that an old biplane was fitted with “modern” radar and rockets and used in a role it was never designed for. The Old Stringbag is definitely one of the neatest aircraft of the whole war! Here’s a picture of a Swordfish Mk.II looking like it is almost factory fresh. I’m sure this an aircraft from the Royal Navy Historical Flight. It even has a big-ass 18-inch torpedo. Battleships beware!

http://www.compass.dircon.co.uk/swordN.jpg

RE: Saab 340

Yeah, I agree. The 2000 has very good performance. I didn’t really belive Saab’s claim of jetlike speeds until I saw offical performance stats on it. I’m impressed.

RE: Flying P-40’s

Kabir, it wasn’t necessary to put all the background info, but I appreciate it. Kinda like I do with the F-4, I’ve done a LOT of research on the Warhawk. I just love it. Even though it wasn’t ever the greatest performing plane, I still consider it one of the “great” fighters of WWII. I’d hope you guys would too. It deserves a lot more credit than it gets. The P-40 in good hands was actually quite a potent fighter. Oh yeah, and Kabir, one thing I noticed about your specs. Early P-40N’s were powered by V-1710-81’s, but those were 1,200 hp. The later P-40N’s were powered by V-1710-115’s and those were the 1,360 hp engines. I think the P-40N is able hands is quite a match for the Zero and probably superior to later marks of Hurricane and Wildcat. Roughly 380 mph top speed, pretty decent range (was verified by several P-40 groups in the Pacific. In fact, that 1,500 pound bombload that Kabir mentioned is actually quite higher than was originally thought. The P-40 could actually sling warloads of up to 2,600 pounds. The two wing hardpoints were rated at up to 1,000 pounds each, while the centerline could hold up to 600 pounds. Several P-40 groups began performing ground attack missions with a pair of 1,000 pounds bombs and a centerline 75-gallon tank. Surprisingly the aircraft still flew well and they could still get very good range out of it. The P-40N is my favorite model and was undoubtedly the best of the P-40’s that went operational. The XP-40Q and its 422 mph top speed was the ultimate Warhawk but sadly it never went into service as the USAAF already had enough P-51’s and P-47’s. I don’t think I will be able to make it to Europe this year unfortunately, but I intend to make to a big show sometime. So, there are 19 P-40’s left flying. That is great news as I thought it was a lot smaller. Wonderful pictures Ashley. Something about the P-40 just gives it character. I think it is the deep engine cowling. Thanks again guys.

RE: Saab 340

Know where I can find some good pictures of the 340? I already know about airliners.net (wonderful site), but is there any place else? Here’s a pic of a 340 in NWA (Mesaba) colors that I got of the Northwest Airlines website.

Attachments: