Curtiss P-40 N Warhawk
Curtiss · US · first flew 1943 · fighter
The P-40N was the final and most-produced P-40 variant, a lightened design with improved Allison engines that served across the Pacific, Mediterranean and China-Burma-India theatres through to 1945.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Allison V-1710-81/99/115 engine; longest fuselage of the P-40 family (lengthened rear fuselage standard from N-1) |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Lightened airframe — three guns per wing on early N (instead of six), later batches restored to six
- Allison V-1710-81/99/115 engine; longest fuselage of the P-40 family (lengthened rear fuselage standard from N-1)
- Rearward-sliding 'bird-cage' canopy on early N; some late Ns had the cut-down rear fuselage and bubble canopy
The lengthened rear fuselage is standard on all Ns, giving a slightly longer tail moment than early P-40 marks. Early N blocks have only three guns per wing (three muzzle openings per side, not six). Late Ns may have the bubble canopy — a very rare configuration that makes them look nothing like earlier P-40s.
Specifications
- The Curtiss P-40 N Warhawk has a length of 10.16 m (33 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.38 m (37 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 609 km/h (378 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
5,219 P-40Ns built across multiple production blocks, making it the most numerous P-40. Served with USAAF, RAAF, RNZAF, Soviet VVS and others. Despite the superior P-38 and P-47 entering service, the N remained in production to keep the supply lines going.
Variants
Early N blocks had three guns per wing (N-1, N-5); later blocks restored six. Very late Ns received bubble canopies. British Kittyhawk Mk IV.
Where you'll see it
USAAF all major theatres 1943-45; RAAF (Pacific), Soviet VVS. The most commonly surviving P-40 variant worldwide — the majority of airworthy P-40s on the warbird circuit are Ns, including several in Australia where they saw service with the RAAF.
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