P-40Q Warhawk

The P-40Q was an experimental project which attempted to produce a really modern fighter out of the existing P-40. The modifications were in fact so drastic that there was very little in common with earlier P-40 versions. Two P-40Ks serial num!ers 4"-##$% and 4"-4&%""' and one P-40( serial num!er 4)-"4&%*' were extensively modified with revised cooling systems+ two-stage superchargers+ and structural changes which mar,edly altered their appearance. The project was assigned the designation -P40Q. The first -P-40Q was P-40K-*0-./ ser no 4"-##$% fitted with a new cooling system+ a longer nose+ and a four-!laded propeller. The radiators were moved into an under-fuselage position+ with inta,es !etween the undercarriage legs. The most prominent -P-40Q feature+ used on 4"-4&%"" and 4)-"4&%*+ was the cutting down of the rear fuselage and the addition of a !u!!le canopy as on the 0-P-40(0. 1ater the wingtips were clipped. The result was an aircraft which !ore almost no resem!lance whatsoever to its parent P-40 line. The 2-*%*0-*"* engine was fitted with water injection+ resulting in a power of *4"& hp. 3peed increased to 4"" mph at "0+&00 feet+ ma,ing it the fastest of all the P-40s. 4n altitude of "0+000 feet could !e reached in 4.$ minutes+ and service ceiling was )#+000 feet. 5our 0.&-inch machine guns were carried !y the prototypes. 6ingspan was )& feet ) inches after clipping'+ and length was )& feet 4 inches " feet longer than the P-40('. The proposed production models of the P-40Q were to have carried either six 0.&0-inch machine guns or four "0-mm cannon+ !ut the -P-40Q was still inferior to contemporary production 7ustangs and Thunder!olts+ and development was therefore a!andoned. .onse8uently+ the production life of the P-40 ended with the ( version. The second -P-40Q was !riefly used for postwar air racing. 9egistered (-)00:+ the second -P-40Q was an unauthori;ed starter in the *#4% Thompson Trophy race. <t was in fourth place when it caught fire and had to drop out of the race. Sources: 6ar Planes of the 3econd 6orld 6ar+ 5ighters+ 2olume 5our+ 6illiam =reen+ >ou!leday+ *#?4. The 4merican 5ighter+ @n;o 4ngelucci and Peter :owers+ Arion :oo,s+ *#$%. /nited 3tates 7ilitary 4ircraft since *#0#+ =ordon 3wan!orough and Peter 7. :owers+ 3mithsonian <nstitution Press+ *#$#. .urtiss 4ircraft+ *#0%-*#4%+ Peter 7. :owers+ (aval <nstitute Press+ *#%#. The .urtiss P-40 Tomahaw,+ 9ay 6agner+ 4ircraft in Profile+ 2olume "+ >ou!leday+ *#?&. Baw, >ynastyC The .urtiss Baw, 7onoplanes+ Ken 6ixey+ 4ir @nthusiast (o %" *##%'. D Joseph Baugher