Curtiss P-40N-5 Warhawk - The Final Warhawk Variant

[Nostalgistic]

Would you like to see this in-game?

• Yes
• No

Curtiss P-40N-5 Warhawk

   Hello everybody. I’d like to introduce and suggest the Curtiss P-40N-5 Warhawk for USA Aviation. This is part of my series of suggestions for P-40 variants used in the US Army Air Corps and US Army Air Forces. The P-40N variant was the most produced version of the Warhawk, with over 5,000 units built. It was designed to be lighter and offer improved flight performance compared to earlier models. Starting with the P-40N-5 (Model 87W), this subvariant featured a redesigned canopy to enhance the pilot’s field of vision.

TL;DR:

The P-40N-5 is the final P-40 variant (Kittyhawk Mk. IV) from the N-5 block, featuring a stretched rear fuselage, a more powerful late-war Allison engine, a return to six-gun wings, and wing racks.

History

The P-40N, beginning with the N-1 production block, was initially an effort to create a lightweight version of the Warhawk following the P-40L and P-40M. It removed wing racks, reduced the number of wing guns to four, and decreased internal fuel capacity to reduce weight. The first units were delivered in March 1943.

By late 1943, the framed canopies that were standard on all US Army Air Forces fighters except the P-38 were poor in combat, as they severely limited the pilot’s visibility, so the P-40N-5 production block introduced a new canopy design, distinct from the bubble canopies of the P-47Ds and P-51Ds. The spine behind the cockpit was redesigned, and the two rear windows were removed. The fuselage skin was replaced with an angled decking over the fuselage tank, covered by a clear glazing with two small frames. A frameless sliding hood was also added. While not a true bubble canopy, this design provided significantly improved visibility. All N variants from N-5 onward retained this cockpit canopy.

The N-5 restored the six-gun wing configuration and wing racks due to pilot complaints about insufficient firepower. With the addition of new wing racks, its external load capacity increased to 2,500 pounds. Three drop tanks could be carried, extending its ferry range to 3,100 miles.

P-40Ns up to the -15 production block were powered by the Allison V-1710-81 engine, also used in the P-40M, producing 1,200 horsepower. Despite increases in empty and gross weights, the P-40N-5’s top speed was only 2 to 4 mph slower than the P-40N-1 (375 mph vs. 378 mph).

A total of 1,100 P-40N-5s were produced and delivered to the USAAF by August 1943. Exported P-40Ns were designated Kittyhawk IVs in Royal Air Force service. Of the 586 P-40Ns intended for Britain, the first 130 were diverted to the USSR.

In Europe, the P-40N saw limited use as a pure fighter due to its inability to perform high-altitude missions without a two-stage supercharger. However, it excelled as a fighter-bomber in Italy and the Far East, providing close air support and ground attack capabilities. In addition, it achieved success as a fighter in the Pacific, India, Burma, and China. Elsewhere, P-40Ns were primarily used for training as newer aircraft like the P-51 Mustang and P-47 Thunderbolt became more widely available.

According to reports, many pilots in the China-Burma-India theater preferred the P-40N over the Mustang and Thunderbolt, citing its reliability. These aircraft played a key role in Operation Ichi-Go, the final major Japanese offensive in China in 1944. P-40Ns and P-40Ms of the 14th Air Force disrupted Japanese operations in both fighter and fighter-bomber roles.

By the autumn of 1944, American air units in China were forced to retreat. That year also saw a sharp increase in P-40 losses. By early 1945, P-40s were withdrawn from frontline service as P-51 Mustangs arrived in large numbers, though some units continued using the aircraft until April 1945.

Specifications

Curtiss P-40N-5 Warhawk

General Characteristics

• Crew: 1 (Pilot)
• Dimensions:
  • Length: 33 ft 3.72 in (10.15 m)
  • Height: 12 ft 4.5 in (3.77 m)
  • Span: 37 ft 3.5 in (11.37 m)
  • Wing Area: 236 sq ft (21.93 sq m)
• Propeller Type: 3-bladed constant speed propeller
• Powerplant: Allison V-1710-81 piston engine
  • Output: 1,200 hp (1,216.64 ps)
• Fuel/Oil:
  • Internal Fuel: 157 US gal. (594 L)
  • Oil: 8.75 US gal. (33.1 L)
• Weights:
  • Empty: 6,700 lb (3,039 kg)
  • Gross: 8,400 lb (3,810 kg)
  • Max. Takeoff: 11,500 lb (5,216 kg)

Engine ratings

• Takeoff:
  • 1,200 bhp @ 3,000 rpm @ S.L.
• War Emergency:
  • 1,480 bhp @ 3,000 rpm @ 10,000 ft
• Military:
  • 1,125 bhp @ 3,000 rpm @ 17,000 ft
• Normal:
  • 1,000 bhp @ 2,600 rpm @ S.L. - 14,400 ft

Performance @ Military Power

• Power-to-Weight Ratio: 0.14 hp/lb (0.32 ps/kg)
• Wing Loading: 37 lb/sq ft (174 kg/sq m)
• Critical Altitude Speed: 350 mph @ 16,400 ft (563 km/h @ 5,000 m)
• Climb Performance:
  • Rate of Climb: 1,860 fpm (9.45 m/s)
  • Time to Altitude: 7.32 minutes to 14,000 ft (4,267 m)
• Service Ceiling: 31,000 ft (9,449 m)
• Combat Range: 750 miles (1,207 km)

Armament

• Guns:
  • 6 x .50-cal. M2 Browning machine guns (235 rpg; 1,410 rounds)
• Bombs:
  • Centerline
    • 1 x 1,000-lb bomb
    • 1 x 500-lb bomb
  • Wings
    • 2 x 1,000-lb bomb
    • 2 x 500-lb bomb
• Rockets:
  • 6 x M8 rocket launchers
• Drop Tank:
  • 52-gal drop tank

Supplemental Data

Diagrams

Images

Conclusion | Why it should be in the game

   I’m suggesting the P-40N-5 to expand the range of World War II-era vehicles in War Thunder. As the most produced and final variant of the Warhawk, the P-40N-5 represents the culmination of its design evolution and deserves a place in the game. Performance-wise, the P-40N-5 would outperform all earlier Warhawk variants except the P-40N-1, N-20, N-40, and XP-40Q. Its inclusion would be a valuable addition to the P-40 Warhawk family in US Aviation.

Related Suggestions

• P-40-CU
• P-40B
• P-40D-1
• P-40K-5
• P-40L-15
• P-40M-10
• XP-40Q-2A

Sources

• Pilot’s Flight Operating Instructions for Army Model P-40N Series, British Model Kittyhawk IV Airplanes, AN 01-25CN-1 (25 September 1944)
• Memorandum Report on P-40N-5 Airplane, AAF No.42-105241: Performance Tests and Range Survey, Memo Report No. Eng-47-1685-A (14 January 1944)
• Curtiss P-40 in Action (1984)
• P-40 Warhawk In Detail & Scale 63 Part 2 (2002)
• Curtiss P-40N Warhawk
• P-40 Performance Tests
• P-40 Warhawk Variants
• Curtiss P-40 Warhawk variants - Wikipedia
• Curtiss P-40 Warhawk - Wikipedia
• Curtiss P-40 Warhawk development history
• Curtiss P-40 Warhawk Performance Figures
• Curtiss P-40 - Introduction
• Curtiss P-40 Warhawk

Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃

[jon_man1199]

A +1 from me, as much as I like early P-40s I also love the late P-40 variants and it’s a crying shame the P-40N isn’t in game yet

[AspandaIV]

+2 in the US & Chinese TT’s

[AstralTitan]

It’s strange to say the least that the most produced version of the P-40 isn’t present in the game.
I say +1

[Gunboy122]

Honestly would love to see the late-war versions of the P-40, because supposedly by the end of the war those things were nuttier than squirrel poo due to the V-1710 engine no longer having restrictions on manifold pressure.

These late-model P-40Ns had very little (virtually none) restrictions on engine tuning, they were rated for 1400hp at 60"hg of manifold pressure, but crew chiefs regularly boosted them to 1800hp at 75+"hg, making them a monster at the lower altitudes air combat in the Pacific occurred at. Might be cool to see that as an upgrade at some point if they get introduced.

In fact, the P-40N out-accelerated, out turned, and out-rolled the P-51 that finally began to replace them by mid 1945, that many pilots considered them a downgrade in everything but range, but this was also due to the fact that those V-1710’s have been around since pretty much the start of American war involvement and had 3+ years of constant tuning, fiddling and was way more developed than the Merlin’s the P-51’s came out with.

[PercussionCap]

By removing the boost limit they could reach 1800hp yes, but only at very low altitude and at or near its top speed.

[Nostalgistic]

@Gunboy122

In fact, the P-40N out-accelerated, out turned, and out-rolled the P-51 that finally began to replace them by mid 1945, that many pilots considered them a downgrade in everything but range…

Sounds awesome! It really makes me even more eager to see the P-40N series added to War Thunder.

While the P-40N may out-accelerate the P-51 in certain situations, as you mentioned, the Merlin-powered P-51 still outpaces it by a significant margin in terms of straight-line speed. That said, I think the P-40N, being a ‘turn-fighting monster,’ could complement the P-51C, which excels as an energy fighter in the air battles. The P-40N could keep enemies occupied at low altitudes with its maneuverability, while the P-51C could capitalize on its speed and high-altitude performance to engage and take down high-profile targets trying to flee from the P-40s.

Of course, this is just theoretical, and it would only work if the US team coordinates really well—ha, that’s asking a lot sometimes.

[disco_mart]

I’m really surprised late model P-40s are not in game already. They tick the snails penchant for using the CTRL key given that USA, UK, Russia, Netherlands (East Indies), Finland and China all used them.

[SonoranMonsoon-psn]

Man I’ve been saying this since I started playing and learned the tech trees. The N model is easy a low rank III. 3.7/4.0 ARB BR… this is a well presented point of consideration for Gaijin. A year later and no progress toward it is sad.

[oinkmoo]

I’d say 3.3, 3.7 is too much for this thing. But yes, N variant is nice. I think I’m more interested in N-1 though, for that sweet competitiveness.

[Nostalgistic]

I agree. A BR of 3.7 is practically a death sentence for the P-40N-5, as it has no chance against faster opponents like advanced Spitfires, Bf 109Gs, VB.10-02, Yak-3s, Yak-9U, Fw 190s, La-7s, Yak-9Us, or G.55s.

In my opinion, 3.3 would be the highest fair BR. If we’re being generous, perhaps even 3.0.

[PercussionCap]

3.0 on release feels fair. It’s still a P-40, and still with a single stage Allison.

[oinkmoo]

Yeah, 3.0 is the most fitting place I agree.

[Prometheus031]

The Final P-40 production variant and it still hasnt been added in is crazy to me.