The P-40 has been my favorite aircraft ever since I first got interested in planes at the age of five (I'm 84). This is a very informative "tour". Many thanks for the great description.
Thank you sir! I've always loved the P-40 and had a model as a kid in the 80s. It would be my #1 WWII plane to buy if I had the funds. Beautiful work! Thank you for restoring it. Both my grandfathers were in WWII. One served in the Army and was in the Battle of the Bulge. The other served in the Navy in the Pacific as a radio-man in a PBY Cat. I hope to fly in a P-40 before I die. Blessings!
A Beautiful and Impressive piece of History "Burma Banshee", Very Glad to see She is in Good Hands, and out where Young and Old can Admire Her and Learn About Her. The Erik Johnston Video's are an Excellent and Entertaining Source of Learning about Aviation History and The Individuals that Flew them back then, and Those that are now Flying them Today. Thumbs Up !
I don't know why, but the P40 has always captured my attention more than any WW2 fighter. I love the mean look of the painted ones. While I appreciate and admire the beauty and performance of the oft celebrated P51, and I love that plane too, there is just something about the P40.
Thom sounds like a very skilled pilot and I liked that he talks about how flying this aircraft compares to other comparable fighters, as well as its technical details and history.
Did your uncle fly from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal 1943-44? My dad was with an Army AAA (Anti Aircraft Artillery) unit stationed there during that time period. The Army Air Force flew B-24’s from Henderson on missions further West in the Solomons and up to a large Japanese base on the island of Rabaul.
Outstanding walk around! And you nailed the difference in mission profile for the P-40 vs other planes like the P-51, P-38, Spitfire, Me-109 and Fw-190. This airplane performed very well in its designed envelope. But too often it’s dismissed because it was not a competitive airplane at high altitude. (22,000 feet plus) because of it lack of multi stage supercharging. I get why these planes were not generally used on the Western European front because of the often higher altitudes air combat took place at. But if you got down into the 15,000 foot area, this bird had a pretty darn decent bite and fight in it.
While I agree that it's impressive that the P-40 served in every theatre on every day of WW2, I don't think it's alone in this category. The Hawker Hurricane served from 1939 to 1945, in the European, Pacific, North African and Russian theatres. Even had a seagoing version. Made in the UK and Canada. The P-40 and Hurricane are the old, crusty American and Commonwealth geezers sitting in rockingchairs on the porch chirping the newest P-51 walking by with the chicks!
..one thing he didn't mention...the "belly scoop" air intake was actually tried on the prototype P-40 first..then they decided to move it to the nose...
I've watched Thom fly his TP-40 twice at Sun 'n' Fun, and it was by far the most exhilarating warbird demo I've ever seen (sorry P-51's). I'm going again this year, and if he's flying, will choose the day I go on that basis. If I get a chance to ask him personally, I'd like to know how much lighter "American Dream" is than a standard wartime example.
Great review of a good airplane. This 70 year old’s boyhood imagination was quite taken with the fierce sharks mouth of the 1st AVG “Flying Tigers”. The P-40 was the beginning of a life long infatuation with WWII aircraft and the brave pilots that flew them into combat. Thank you for this wonderful review. ‘Blue skies and tailwinds.’
Just a short PS. I learned sometime ago that German pilots flying Bf109 E’s weren’t too anxious to tangle with British P-40 Kittyhawks below 15,000 in the North African campaign. In the hands of a decent pilot the Kittyhawk proved itself more than up to the task of taking on a Bf-109.
..yes, someone should do that!..the original survived the war, but I believe it was crashed after the war at an air race..I wouldn't want anyone to modify a nice aircraft like the one featured here, but since the XP-40Q was built from a P-40N airframe,someone with 2 or 3 wrecked airframes building one up from scratch should be able to build an accurate XP-40Q with some research and effort..I believe it would be worthwhile!..😀
A few years ago, my family and I visited the Air Museum in Seattle. They have a WWII section. As we walked through, we noticed a Chinese couple going nuts with taking pictures of the P-40. My wife offered to take a picture of both of them together, which they accepted, smiling proudly. Then it hit me, "They fought like Tigers, Flying Tigers." Before the AVG arrived, the Japanese bombed pretty much at will. After the AVG, not so much. The P-40 put a stop to the terror from the skies. It was then that I realized the importance of the P-40 in the War.
Such an extremely underrated fighter. And, honestly, generally screwed over by the War Production Board and the USAAF. It might never have ended up a top of the line high altitude escort fighter, but it could have had a four blade Hamilton Standard High Activity paddle prop and an 1800HP Allison engine. It would have been a far better aircraft than it was. As it was, below 20,000 feet it was pretty damned competitive with a competent pilot.
Wow that dude is pretty agile he just jumped right up on the wing. He must run . I wish my fat as could still do that I gotta get this weigh off . There was a time I could run 5 or 6 miles sure miss those days
Why so many P-40s in US and/or Chinese markings? Isn't it boringly repetitive and unoriginal? I really long for a P-40 in 112nd RAF squ. colors. Desert-camouflaged P-40s are, to my taste, the prettiest of all, and so hard to see today as real flying machines, while US and Chinese P-40s are so many indeed that those who are not so much into the matter may easily believe that P-40s have only been used by the US and China.
Because it’s an American plane used by American pilots ! Mower served under US markings than any other and more surviving airplanes started out as US and issued equipment, most of the planes issued to foreign air services did not survive the war. Plus as Americans we are patriotic and we want our airplanes painted back and our colors! If you spend 1 to 2,000,000 on a plane then you can pay it back however you want
The P-40 has been my favorite aircraft ever since I first got interested in planes at the age of five (I'm 84). This is a very informative "tour". Many thanks for the great description.
a great description of this historic aircraft. THANK YOU.
That was an outstanding presentation! Diamond clear, hugely entertaining! Well done!
What a beauty, living history, great to see her back in the air where it belongs.
I like the way Thom ingresses the cockpit. Absolutely beautiful warbird. Thank you Erik!
He sure seems to know the plane. Also like the camera work - getting those sometimes awkward shots that show what we was explaining.
Thank you sir!
I've always loved the P-40 and had a model as a kid in the 80s. It would be my #1 WWII plane to buy if I had the funds. Beautiful work! Thank you for restoring it. Both my grandfathers were in WWII. One served in the Army and was in the Battle of the Bulge. The other served in the Navy in the Pacific as a radio-man in a PBY Cat.
I hope to fly in a P-40 before I die.
Blessings!
Great video, awesome restoration. Thank you for showing us ❤
So much history in the old war birds. Definitely fly by the seat of your pant days.😁
Love the detailed walk around.
Thanks for sharing.
That was a fun walkaround!! Thanks Erik and Thom for sharing!!
A Beautiful and Impressive piece of History "Burma Banshee", Very Glad to see She is in Good Hands, and out where Young and Old can Admire Her and Learn About Her. The Erik Johnston Video's are an Excellent and Entertaining Source of Learning about Aviation History and The Individuals that Flew them back then, and Those that are now Flying them Today. Thumbs Up !
I don't know why, but the P40 has always captured my attention more than any WW2 fighter. I love the mean look of the painted ones. While I appreciate and admire the beauty and performance of the oft celebrated P51, and I love that plane too, there is just something about the P40.
Thom sounds like a very skilled pilot and I liked that he talks about how flying this aircraft compares to other comparable fighters, as well as its technical details and history.
The first airplane model I ever built as a little kid in the 70s was a P40. I’ve loved it ever since. Great example of a beautiful warbird!
Thom congrats on Grand Champion. It’s good to see you are still in the game. Be safe. Jerry NATG
Very good description of the old P-40! Well done! 👍
Nice walk round, love the p40 fighters.
Awesome.
My Uncle flew B24s in the South Pacific.
Did your uncle fly from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal 1943-44? My dad was with an Army AAA (Anti Aircraft Artillery) unit stationed there during that time period. The Army Air Force flew B-24’s from Henderson on missions further West in the Solomons and up to a large Japanese base on the island of Rabaul.
Another incredible video. Thank you.
Loved the wlak through. Thanks.
Lovely! THANKS! My favorite single.
Outstanding walk around! And you nailed the difference in mission profile for the P-40 vs other planes like the P-51, P-38, Spitfire, Me-109 and Fw-190. This airplane performed very well in its designed envelope. But too often it’s dismissed because it was not a competitive airplane at high altitude. (22,000 feet plus) because of it lack of multi stage supercharging.
I get why these planes were not generally used on the Western European front because of the often higher altitudes air combat took place at. But if you got down into the 15,000 foot area, this bird had a pretty darn decent bite and fight in it.
P-40 is an amazing fighter!
Erik/Thom,
Great video - thank you! Beautiful Warhawk! Please stay safe!
Paul (in MA)
I'm building models of the P-40 and this helped so much! Good video!
While I agree that it's impressive that the P-40 served in every theatre on every day of WW2, I don't think it's alone in this category. The Hawker Hurricane served from 1939 to 1945, in the European, Pacific, North African and Russian theatres. Even had a seagoing version. Made in the UK and Canada. The P-40 and Hurricane are the old, crusty American and Commonwealth geezers sitting in rockingchairs on the porch chirping the newest P-51 walking by with the chicks!
Wow! Incredible aircraft summary with great information. She's a beauty! Thanks.
..one thing he didn't mention...the "belly scoop" air intake was actually tried on the prototype P-40 first..then they decided to move it to the nose...
Awesome video as usual Erik
Thank Mark! Thank sure appreciate that!
Sweet!, I want one. Thanks for sharing.
11:42 Long tail short tail split. Nice camera angle as a short tail in the back ground for comparison 😊
My favourite Warbird besides a tempest 2. Yeah P-51s are cool but they dont have as nice of a smile
Superb walk around. Thank you!
I'll take it...wrap it up. It will be a lot faster than my old 152.
This is my favorite war bird, when i first saw one as a little kid that shark mouth really hooked me in.
I've watched Thom fly his TP-40 twice at Sun 'n' Fun, and it was by far the most exhilarating warbird demo I've ever seen (sorry P-51's). I'm going again this year, and if he's flying, will choose the day I go on that basis. If I get a chance to ask him personally, I'd like to know how much lighter "American Dream" is than a standard wartime example.
Always my favourite plane...ciao from Italy
Great host for this video
great video. just subscribed. we live near the p-40 warhawk museum in boise idaho. amazing to see history in person.
Well done. Good teaching tool for me at TriState Warbird Museum where I volunteer.
Great review of a good airplane. This 70 year old’s boyhood imagination was quite taken with the fierce sharks mouth of the 1st AVG “Flying Tigers”. The P-40 was the beginning of a life long infatuation with WWII aircraft and the brave pilots that flew them into combat. Thank you for this wonderful review. ‘Blue skies and tailwinds.’
Just a short PS. I learned sometime ago that German pilots flying Bf109 E’s weren’t too anxious to tangle with British P-40 Kittyhawks below 15,000 in the North African campaign. In the hands of a decent pilot the Kittyhawk proved itself more than up to the task of taking on a Bf-109.
What a great video and walk around. Lovely plane.
He covered this well explained everything
Love the Curtiss line. I would love for some enterprising soul to build the XP-40Q (2A, or 3A) that would be something else to see.
..yes, someone should do that!..the original survived the war, but I believe it was crashed after the war at an air race..I wouldn't want anyone to modify a nice aircraft like the one featured here, but since the XP-40Q was built from a P-40N airframe,someone with 2 or 3 wrecked airframes building one up from scratch should be able to build an accurate XP-40Q with some research and effort..I believe it would be worthwhile!..😀
@@dyer2cycle stitching one back together, one can only dream.
Great video. I talked to you in Spartanburg about your other p40 earlier this year. This is a nice plane as well.i subscribed
Would love to see a walkaround on the p51 and the spitfire
A little known fact is that those type of exhaust ports did provide a small amount of thrust to the aircraft.
Well Done!!!
The P-40 was good enough when good enough was all we had.
beautiful bird
Great walk around! What happened to P.M.?
More respect for the P40 now.
P-40s performed very well in the China-Burma theater. A tough airframe.
A few years ago, my family and I visited the Air Museum in Seattle. They have a WWII section. As we walked through, we noticed a Chinese couple going nuts with taking pictures of the P-40. My wife offered to take a picture of both of them together, which they accepted, smiling proudly. Then it hit me, "They fought like Tigers, Flying Tigers." Before the AVG arrived, the Japanese bombed pretty much at will. After the AVG, not so much. The P-40 put a stop to the terror from the skies. It was then that I realized the importance of the P-40 in the War.
Well the p~38 lighting served. In every. Theatres. Too
Not the Eastern Front.
Can I get one of those fantastik t-shirts? How/where?
My favorite WW2 Plane
The purpose of the aircraft was to defend the homeland. John Belushi would agree :-)
love the plane
Love this war bird ❤
Very nice job!!
Such an extremely underrated fighter. And, honestly, generally screwed over by the War Production Board and the USAAF.
It might never have ended up a top of the line high altitude escort fighter, but it could have had a four blade Hamilton Standard High Activity paddle prop and an 1800HP Allison engine. It would have been a far better aircraft than it was. As it was, below 20,000 feet it was pretty damned competitive with a competent pilot.
COOL Report - LIKE and ❤👍💪🎖🏆
Hi here's wasim wow the flying machine is dashing
Nice!
👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️
P51- europe
P40-pacific theater
I like p-40 wen I play games
Wow that dude is pretty agile he just jumped right up on the wing. He must run . I wish my fat as could still do that I gotta get this weigh off . There was a time I could run 5 or 6 miles sure miss those days
I see another p40 smiling at me in the background…..
Rather I talked to this pilot and owner
Yang main game Wings Of Steel pasti tau pesawat ini
Why so many P-40s in US and/or Chinese markings? Isn't it boringly repetitive and unoriginal? I really long for a P-40 in 112nd RAF squ. colors. Desert-camouflaged P-40s are, to my taste, the prettiest of all, and so hard to see today as real flying machines, while US and Chinese P-40s are so many indeed that those who are not so much into the matter may easily believe that P-40s have only been used by the US and China.
Because it’s an American plane used by American pilots ! Mower served under US markings than any other and more surviving airplanes started out as US and issued equipment, most of the planes issued to foreign air services did not survive the war. Plus as Americans we are patriotic and we want our airplanes painted back and our colors! If you spend 1 to 2,000,000 on a plane then you can pay it back however you want
20 seconds of gunfire what good is that if you miss once your defenseless
@@Eddo2122 maybe it would be better if they could fire them in a semi auto mode in the movies they just shoot endless lol
They can, it’s called controlled bursts
Wouldn't want to hear or see that bird...many of men ⛼
Nice!