The P-40 is one of the iconic American fighters of WWII. It wasn't the fastest, it couldn't climb the highest, it was not as nimble as others, but it was rugged, was able to perform its mission, and it was available. Aside from the famous Flying Tigers, the P-40 is best known for its operations in North Africa where it was probably the best Allied fighter around. The British used the P-40 to equip many of its Commonwealth units as there was a dearth of Hurricanes and Spitfires were mostly kept in the UK with some based on Malta.

Those units that got the P-40 were generally coming from Gladiator biplanes and could appreciate the increase in firepower provided by the American .50 caliber guns. They could also appreciate the additional speed, the pilot protection and the ability of the plane to take punishment. Flown by a competent pilot, the P-40 was also a fairly good dog-fighter at lower levels where most North African combat occurred. Its larger wing area enabled it to out turn the Bf-109 and it was pretty equal in speed, allowing it to break off combat when the need arose.

However, it was in ground attack that the P-40 excelled. It was soon discovered that it could carry a respectable bomb load and its role as a fighter bomber was set. P-40 units not only fought in North Africa, but also in Sicily and Italy with some units flying the plane right up to the end of the war in Europe.

The P-40 was also the initial mount of America's entry into combat in 1942 with the Operation Torch landings. These planes were flown from the decks of aircraft carriers to land on air fields recently captured by US troops. From there, they learned how to be war fighters, with many famous units flying the Warhawk until replaced later in the war with P-47s and Mustangs.

In this book, the author covers the operation of the P-40, first by British and Commonwealth units and later by American squadrons. Their operations along the North African coast, in Sicily and during the slow Italian campaign are fully covered. Also covered are most all of the variants of the P-40 as these were all flown.

Typical of Kagero books, this one is full of superb period photos, full color profiles and plans of all the different variants in 1/72 scale. It is a superb book and really quite a bargain as well. It is a book that no Warhawk fan should be without. Highly recommended.

March 2013

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