Wingleader Photo Archive 24 - P-40 Tomahawk and Kittyhawk in RAF Service

When our stalwart author Neil Robinson agreed to take on the P-40 for us, we imagine he looked forward to a few weeks of enjoyable research into this often overlooked RAF fighter.  Several months later, poor old Neil has finally delivered the book and has probably discovered the reason why this aircraft is ‘often overlooked’!   To put it simply, the P-40’s service with RAF and Commonwealth squadrons was a total administrative mess, with names, Mks and sub Mks all changing randomly along with armament and internal fits.  To unravel this mess has been a herculean task which has burdened not only Neil but also our profile artist Darren for well over 6 months.  To them we offer our sincere thanks and apologies, and promise them an easy one next time!

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So, this book covers the P-40 in RAF and Commonwealth service in Europe and North Africa.  We will tackle US use and Far East operations in future books.  

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The Tomahawk initially went into service with Army Co-Operation squadrons but was almost immediately replaced by the superior Mustang.  These ‘spare’ Tomahawks were then sent out to North Africa to back up the Hurricanes, and when the first Kittyhawks arrived, they were also ‘sidelined’ to the desert.  It is here that the Kittyhawk made its name and it will be forever associated with the 112 Squadron shark mouthed examples that fought the Me109Fs all over North Africa. With North Africa secured, later Kittyhawks carried on fighting through Italy, this time more in a ground support role and carrying a fairly decent bomb load.

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In this book we’ve tried to cover all the various Mks and to guide you through the differences to look out for.  If by the end of it, you can tell the difference between a Tomahawk Mk IIA and IIB and a Kittyhawk Mk III and IIIA then you are indeed blessed and Neil’s suffering may not have been in vain!