[t6dpilot]

That P-40 is now owned by Bob Barnaskas on Long Island. He also owns the -51 Galmorous Gal in an earlier picture. He and his son take them to airshows. Prior to Bob's ownership, it was restored by and owned by the same family for almost 20 years.

Early factoid on the P-40 is that it was purchased surplus from the RCAF from a young college kid. He picked up the airplane and ferried it the short ride from Seattle to his home field (don't remember where in WA). And he did this without a manual or any single seat fighter experience. Pure nuts! He sold it about a year later to a gas station owner in Everett, WA who promptly put it on top of his gas station as an attention getter. I think it did the trick since he kept it there for many years until being mildly restored in the late 70's to flying status. The second, truly awe inspiring restoration was completed in about 1990.

The P-40 was the first line of fighter defense during Pearl Harbor and two actually managed to scramble and shoot down a couple of Japanese airplanes. It was basically obsolete at this time. Its claim to fame was with the Flying Tigers in China. Flying against more manueverable Japanese fighters, the AVG (American Volunteer Group) would dive on the fighters, shoot them up, and continue diving to out run them and get away. These tactics were very successful and the AVG encountered few losses during their time defending the Chinese. Shortly after the US declared war on the Japanese, the USAAF came in later and took over for the AVG and were led by the famous Robert Scott, author of "God is My Copilot." The P-40 also served in the North African campaign for a time and in Australia/New Zealand against the Japanese.

Sorry for the short, rambling history lesson - I might also be off on some details. Yes, the P-40 is an awesome aircraft to fly, especially on take off when all hell is breaking loose in front of you. She is also tough during the t/o and landing phase since the CG is so high and the landing gear is so narrow and short coupled. Gotta really stay on your toes or you could end up ground looping her.