- Yes
- No
Overview
The P-40N-20 is a late version of the P-40 and the most produced. Manufactured from 1943-1944, it is considerably lighter than the P-40F with a slightly more powerful engine and a redesigned canopy. The P-40N-20’s wings are reinforced allowing for larger fuel tanks as well as up to a 1000lb bomb per wing for a total of 2,500lb of ordinance. The P-40N served on all fronts primarily as a ground attack aircraft (as it was outdated as a fighter) and was exported to Britain as the Kittyhawk IV and to the Soviet Union, China, Australia, and several other countries. However, the USAAF remained the primary P-40N operator. The P-40Ns, especially the initial N-1 block, were nicknamed the “Hotrod Warhawks” in USAAF service because of their superior flight performance over previous models.
History
Expand
The P-40, briefly
The P-40 Warhawk was developed in 1938 as an improved version of the P-36 with a new inline engine. The XP-40 first flew in 1939, having very disappointing performance. Nevertheless, with war breaking out in Europe the P-40 entered production in March 1940 with both the USAAF and French Air Force placing orders. The French aircraft would be redirected to the RAF as the Tomahawk I as France fell before any aircraft could be delivered.
The P-40 was followed by the P-40B with cockpit armour and self-sealing fuel tanks. The P-40C had additional fuel tanks in the wings.
The P-40D was a major redesign of the P-40 with the nose guns moved to the wings, a more powerful V-1710-39 engine, and the radiator moved to its iconic far forward position. This version was produced in very small numbers before being replaced by the P-40E with the previous 2x .50cal and 4x .30cal replaced by 6x .50cal. This was the first truly mass-produced variant. The P-40F had a longer fuselage and Merlin XX engine.
These two versions were developed into the P-40K with a V-1710-73 and the longer P-40F fuselage and the P-40L with reduced weight and only 4 machine guns. Finally, there was the penultimate P-40, the P-40M, an export version of the P-40K with a V-1710-81.
The P-40N
Development of the P-40N began in early 1943 based on the P-40M but incorporating weight reductions similar to the P-40L. These included redesigning the aircraft’s structure and increasing the use of aluminium as well as removing two of the wing guns. This production block was the P-40N-1, the highest-performing production P-40 variant. Empty weight was a mere 6,000lbs and the aircraft could reach a top speed of 378mph and could climb to 15,000ft in 6.7 minutes. 400 were produced from March 1943. However, pilots complained that 4x .50cals were insufficient, so the guns were reintroduced on the P-40N-5. The N-5 also introduced a new frameless canopy and reinforced wings for mounting of 500lb bombs or underwing fuel tanks. This slightly increased weight to around 6,200lb, roughly halfway back to the P-40M’s weight, but pilots preferred the firepower of the N-5 over the slightly higher flight performance of the N-1.
The next significant upgrade to the P-40N came with the P-40N-15 block, which featured expanded fuel capacity and increased bomb load to 2,500lb. This block was followed by the P-40N-20, the largest production block with over 1,500 produced. The N-20 added an automatic control system for the V-1710-81 engine, this combination being designated the V-1710-99. The P-40N-20 was the definitive production standard and subsequent blocks would have very minor changes, until the final production P-40 variant, the N-40 which had a further improved engine but was produced in very small numbers.
Service
The P-40N served on all fronts but unfortunately specific information is hard to find. The P-40Ns primarily served on the Italian and Southeast Asian fronts where enemy fighters were less of a threat. Because aircraft such as the P-51, Spitfire, and P-38 far outclassed the P-40N as fighters, it was typically relegated to a bomber or strike role, being nicknamed the “Bombhawk” or “B-40” in these roles. The P-40N was exported to the RAF as the Kittyhawk IV, this variant being especially successful in Australian service. P-40N-20s were also operated in significant numbers by the Chinese Air Force with great success. While the Soviets also received the type, they were unpopular as the P-39 was found to be far more durable and capable of taking damage. The Netherlands operated the P-40N from early 1945 all the way until 1949. The last P-40Ns, serving with the Brazilian Air Force, were retired in 1958.
Specifications
Expand
Airframe
Length: 10.15m
Span: 10.76m
Height: 3.84m
Wing area: 21.93m^2
Empty weight: 2,812.27kg
Loaded weight: 2,993.71kg
Combat weight: 3,787.50kg
MTOW: 5,170.95kg
Powerplamt
Allison V-1710-99 V-12
Max power: 1,200hp
Max power, WEP: 1,480hp
Max internal fuel: 590.51L
Max external fuel: 2,346.96L
Max 526.27hp/tonne
Flight Performance
Max speed: 582.58km/h
Max climb rate: 13.7m/s
Max g: +13/-6
Armament
6x M2 Browning .50 cal
235 RPG, 1,410 rounds total
Belly hardpoint:
1x 100, 250, 300, 500, or 600lb bomb
1x 196.8, 283.9, 567.8, or 643.5L drop tank
Wing hardpoints:
1x up to 1000lb bomb
196.8 or 851.7L drop tank
*Erection and Maintenance Manual mentions 100, 300, 500, and 600lb belly bombs in reference to their mounting procedures. The Flight Operating Instructions Manual mentions 250lb belly bombs and 1000lb wing bombs, claiming maximum allowed load is 2,500lbs of ordinance. Photos exist of P-40N/Kittyhawk IVs with other bomb loads such as 6x 250lb bombs or 3x 1000lbs, so what exactly the P-40N-20 could receive in-game is somewhat unclear
The P-40N-20 in game
The P-40N-20 would behave very similarly to the P-40E/F. The ~100kg weight reduction might marginally improve maneuverability, and the dramatically increased bomb load would make for a greatly improved GRB CAS aircraft. However, by far the most significant difference between the E/F and N is the much more powerful V-1710-99 engine, improving speed and climb rate. Additionally, the P-40N would get access to the improved mid-war .50 cal ammunition found on contemporaries such as the P-51Ds, granting a bit of a firepower boost. Overall, the P-40N would make a great all-around fighter for BR 3.0 and would definitely fit best as a Tech Tree vehicle foldered under or following the other P-40s. The N-20 also has potential for a number of other trees, notably China, the UK (Kittyhawk IV), USSR, and France (Netherlands).
Gallery
*note images will not necessarily be N-20s
Expand
The P-40N is easily identified by its frameless sliding canopy, present on the N-5 onwards
P-40Ns of the “Burma Banshees”, the 80th FG serving out of Burma and India
Thanks to its extremely high production numbers and its secondary combat roles, around 20 P-40Ns are still flying today. They’re highly regarded for their handling and reliability (especially for a warbird)
Soviet P-40N
RAAF Kittyhawk IV
Chinese P-40N
Dutch P-40Ns
Some non-standard armaments: Chinese P-40N with M8 rockets (potentially training only), RAAF Kittyhawk IV with 3x 1000lb bombs and 6x 250lb bombs. Dunno how relevant these are for a USAAF P-40N specifically
The 15,000th P-40, an N-20, was painted with the insignias of every airforce to operate Curtiss products (not just P-40s)
It seems based of available photos, that the USAAF primarily used a single belly bomb on their P-40Ns. However, they did also make use of the wing bombs. Unfortunately, I can’t find a photo of the full load
Sources
AN 01-25CN-1 Pilot’s Flight Operating Instructions, P-40N Series, Kittyhawk IV
AN 01-25CN-2 Erection and Maintenance Instructions, P-40N Series, Kittyhawk IV
https://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_fighters/p40_15.html
