Operational Overview The P-40 held off the Axis for 2 years until the advent of aircraft with better range, firepower, payload, and performance. BUT the P-40 did more than just fill a gap or hold its own if you read the statistics. In all theaters it shot down or shot up more than were lost. The P-40 was actually easier to fly than many of its closer stable mates (P-39, P-38, P-36) which would not have done as well in the first two years of combat. Changes were needed before the newer thoroughbreds came online: (1) Tactics (2) Attitudes (3) Numbers. Why was the P-40 built in such large numbers if it was such a dog, and how did it do such a good job against superior aircraft who had superior numbers and still come out ahead? I beg to differ, it was the general staff that needed changing not the plane. It is time to set things right, was it a dog or was it a good plane that took a beating in the press for unfair reasons? If so how can all of the pilots (aces) from the USA, UK, RAAF, RNAF, Russia, AVG, France, Finland, and many more countries have produced such a record of greatness with a dog. NO, THE P-40 HAS HAD A BUM RAP FAR TOO LONG. A few of us would like to rectify this by honoring the P-40 with this campaign. The Rules and Regs 1. P-40 & P-36
2. Any scale.
3. WW II era.
4. Any nation that flew either a/c.
5. Any Unit.
6. 2 inprogress photos.
7. Some sort of documentation of unit markings (book, media, kit, aftermarket, decal, photo) to be posted during build progress. Contest Element One ribbon will be awarded for a finished build within the timeframe. (only one ribbon per person) |