Curtiss P-40 Warhawk – Summer of Flight

Experience Warbirds in flight this summer!

From May through September, join the Military Aviation Museum every Saturday at 1 PM for narrated flying demonstrations showcasing historical aircraft and commemorating significant wartime events. Experience the rumble of the engines up close as pilots share what it’s like to fly these incredible machines. Learn about the battles they fought in and the men and women who built, flew, and maintained them during the war! Summer of Flight is included with general admission to the museum and free for members. Events begin at 1:00 PM unless stated otherwise.

The best fighter the US Army had to offer on the eve of WWII, the P-40, though outmatched by many adversaries, held the line while faster and more capable aircraft were produced. It made up more than half of US Army Air Forces fighter strength until July 1943.

Our P-40 flies in the markings of American Volunteer Group (AVG) P-40E 41-5658 “108” of the 3rd Squadron “Hell’s Angels.” It features the distinctive shark-mouth markings made famous by the group, as well as their Walt Disney Studio-designed Flying Tiger emblem. The aircraft also features Nationalist Chinese Insignia in place of American Stars, since the AVG, although made up of American aviators, was not a part of the US Military.

Although the AVG generally flew earlier model P-40s, they were down to their last 20 aircraft when they received a shipment of P-40E’s via Africa and India. Assigned to the 3rd Squadron “Tex” Hill, himself a part of the 2nd Squadron (Panda Bears) borrowed aircraft 108 to lead his attack on the Salween River Gorge. The improved 700 lb bomb capacity appealed to him for the mission profile, as did the extra pair of .50 cal machine guns in the aircraft’s wings.