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United States Army Air Forces · RAF/Commonwealth · AVG Flying Tigers · Desert & Pacific Fighter

Curtiss P-40 Warhawk

Tomahawk / Kittyhawk / Warhawk · USAAF, RAF, RAAF, RNZAF, AVG · 1939–1945
USAAF / USN route with unit, theatre and markings context

The Curtiss P-40 fought wherever the war was roughest: China with the AVG Flying Tigers, North Africa with RAF Kittyhawks, the South-West Pacific with RAAF and RNZAF units, and USAAF squadrons from the Aleutians to the Mediterranean. For modellers it means shark mouths, desert dust, sun-faded Olive Drab, RAF Dark Earth/Middle Stone, chipped wing roots and hard-used Allison-engine staining.

1
Pilot
6×.50
Late guns
V-1710
Allison
AVG
Shark mouth

What paints do I need?

Generate a practical starter paint list for this Curtiss P-40 Warhawk build, with common brand equivalents.

Scheme basis: General WW2. Treat these as modelling equivalents rather than laboratory-perfect matches; always check your chosen aircraft, theatre and date.
ColourUseTamiyaVallejoAKMr Hobby
Main camouflage colourCheck aircraft theatre and dateTamiya equivalentVallejo equivalentAK equivalentMr Hobby equivalent
Underside colourCheck schemeTamiya equivalentVallejo equivalentAK equivalentMr Hobby equivalent
Interior colourCockpit/internal areasTamiya equivalentVallejo equivalentAK equivalentMr Hobby equivalent
Black / rubberTyres, props and anti-glareXF-6971.057AK RC022H12
AluminiumChipping and metal detailLP-1177.701AK Xtreme Metal AluminiumSM201
Weathering coloursExhaust, oil, dirt and gun stainsXF-1/XF-64Black/BrownAK weathering coloursH12/H47

P-40 operations · 1939–1945

The P-40 was not the fastest or most glamorous fighter, but it was rugged, available and heavily used across harsh theatres. It served as Tomahawk, Kittyhawk and Warhawk with USAAF, RAF, Commonwealth, Soviet and Chinese/AVG-linked units. For modellers, the strength is variety: AVG shark-mouth noses, desert Kittyhawks, Pacific RAAF/RNZAF aircraft, Aleutian Warhawks and weather-beaten fighter-bombers.

1Pilot
6×.50Late armament
AllisonV-1710
362 mphP-40E speed
P-40 Warhawk real reference
Real P-40 photo route: check nose, intake, theatre markings and weathering before painting.

Role & strengths

  • Rugged Allied fighter and fighter-bomber
  • AVG shark-mouth, RAF Kittyhawk and USAAF Warhawk subjects
  • Desert, Pacific, Aleutian, CBI and Soviet routes
  • Heavy dust, fading, exhaust staining and chipped access wear
  • Clear variant differences across Tomahawk, Kittyhawk and Warhawk marks

Key theatres

  • China-Burma-India and AVG Flying Tigers
  • North Africa and Desert Air Force Kittyhawks
  • South-West Pacific RAAF/RNZAF operations
  • Aleutians, Mediterranean and Soviet lend-lease

Specification P-40E

Crew1Length31 ft 8 inWingspan37 ft 4 inMax speedc.362 mphPowerplantAllison V-1710Armament6×.50 Browning MGs, bombs/drop tank

Survivors today

P-40 survivor reference

Surviving P-40s are useful for intake shape, cockpit framing, undercarriage stance, wing-root wear, exhaust staining and the distinctive long-nose profile.

View survivors

Timeline highlights

Build this P-40 as…

Pick the theatre first. AVG Flying Tigers, RAF desert Kittyhawks, USAAF Aleutian aircraft, RAAF/RNZAF Pacific machines and Soviet lend-lease P-40s all weather differently.

Aircraft identity

★Allied markings
✦Allison engine
☷Chin intake
▰Shark mouth
☀Desert dust
🌴Pacific wear
Variant warning

Tomahawk, Kittyhawk and Warhawk marks have different noses, guns, panels and markings. Choose the exact variant before buying decals.

Marking warning

Shark mouths are not all the same. AVG, 112 Squadron RAF and later theatre markings have different shapes, colours and placement.

Paint scheme cards

AVG / early CBICamouflage with shark-mouth nose

AVG aircraft need specific shark-mouth, Chinese roundels and heavy dusty theatre wear.

Desert Air ForceMiddle Stone / Dark Earth / Azure

RAF Kittyhawks show sun fading, sand abrasion, filter grime and rough servicing.

USAAFOlive Drab / Neutral Grey

USAAF Warhawks need fading, exhaust staining, dusty airfields and chipped access zones.

Pacific / CommonwealthFoliage, OD, grey and theatre repaint routes

RAAF/RNZAF aircraft can show harsh sun, coral dust, mud, humidity and non-standard repainting.

Campaign cards

AVG Flying Tigers

Use 1st, 2nd or 3rd Pursuit Squadron routes. Shark mouth, Chinese roundels and dusty CBI weathering dominate.

Desert Air Force

112, 3 RAAF and 450 RAAF Squadron Kittyhawks need desert colours, dust, sun fading and RAF/Commonwealth markings.

South-West Pacific

RAAF/RNZAF P-40s show heat, rain, mud, coral dust and rough servicing.

USAAF / Soviet / Aleutian

Alternative Warhawk routes with OD/grey, winter/cold weather or lend-lease markings and field wear.

Build difficulty and related guides

Overall difficulty

Medium. Shape and seams are manageable, but nose, variant and markings need care.

Marking difficulty

High. Shark mouths, roundels, theatre repainting and squadron codes must match the aircraft.

Weathering difficulty

High. Desert and Pacific wear can be heavy, but it must stay directional and photo-led.

Paint codesUSAAF, RAF desert and Commonwealth notesTechniqueDesert dust, shark-mouth decals and Pacific fadingArticleP-40 kits, decals and weathering guide

P-40 groups and squadrons

Sortable P-40 unit cards covering AVG Flying Tigers, Desert Air Force Kittyhawks, USAAF Warhawks, RAAF/RNZAF Pacific squadrons and Soviet lend-lease routes.

Theatre:Sort:

P-40 Warhawk operating map

Variant selector

Airfield info

Click a marker to show linked P-40 unit cards and modelling notes.

Campaign timeline

Survivors

Books and reference sources

P-40 Warhawk build guide

Kit choice wizard

P-40 Warhawk videos, photos and archive material

Media replaces the old separate walkaround tab: cockpit, exhaust, undercarriage, markings, survivor references, archive imagery and video cards are grouped here.