The Erickson Aircraft Collection located in Madras Oregon, started by Jack Erickson in 1983, proudly displays over twenty rare aircraft, most still in flying condition. The Curtiss P-40 (known as the Warhawk in the USA) is single-engined, single-seat, all-metal fighter and and ground-attack aircraft.
First flown in October 1938, the P-40 is most famous as the aircraft of General Claire Chennault’s American Volunteer Group – the Flying Tigers. Their P-40Bs defended China against the Japanese. P-40s also serviced in the Pacific, Middle East and Europe and defended North America in the Aleutians. The P-40 was operated by England, France, China, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, and Turkey as well as the United States. America’s foremost fighter in service when World War II began. P-40s engaged Japanese aircraft during the attack on Pearl Harbor and the invasion of the Philippines in December 1941. They also were flown in North Africa in 1943 by the first AAF all-black unit, the 99th Fighter Squadron.
The P-40, though often slower and less maneuverable than its counterparts, could withstand amazing amounts of battle damage and could out dive most of its adversaries.
This aircraft was purchased direct from Curtiss by the British Purchasing Commission. It was delivered to the RAF on 6 November 1941 as AK940. It was allocated to the Royal Canadian Air Force and served with 111 Squadron. It was re-numbered to 1058 later in the war, and finally struck off charge on 16 August 1946. The aircraft also flew with 133 Squadron, was coded X and was based at Tofino, British Columbia and Sea Island, BC
Erickson’s top notch team of pilots and maintenance technicians work hard to keep history alive for delighted audiences!
