The Planes of Fame Air Museum’s living history event for July is the Flying Tigers and the AVG, featuring the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk.
Quick Stats from the Planes of Fame Museum’s website on their P-40N:
History
- The P-40 is most widely known as the aircraft of the Flying Tigers, aka the American Volunteer Group (AVG), who began fighting the Japanese in China during the early days of the Pacific war.
- The P-40 was not as maneuverable as the aircraft types flown by the Japanese.
- The P-40 was built in a number of variants, sold to several foreign air forces, and operated under a plethora of names.
- It was known as the Warhawk to the USAAF, while the British Commonwealth countries called the early versions Tomahawks and the later versions Kittyhawks. A number served with the SovietAir Force, under the lend-lease program.
- The aircraft served in all theaters of WW2.
- Purchased by Edward Maloney in 1960 and restored to flight by Planes of Fame Air Museum in 1980.
Distinction
- This airplane is also one of the Museum’s few actual combat veterans, having shot down a Japanese incendiary balloon off British Columbia.
- The museum’s aircraft is a Kittyhawk IV (equivalent to the P-40N in USAAF service), flown by the Royal Canadian Air Force. It is painted in the markings of the 325th Fighter Group.
- Appearances in the movies Pearl Harbor and Valkyrie.
About Living History Flying Days at the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, California:
Living History Flying Days at Planes of Fame Air Museum are are held on the first Saturday of every month when we feature an historically significant aircraft from our rare and unique collection. Our program begins at 10:am with the Pledge of Allegiance. Typically we host a 1.5 hr. discussion panel of expert speakers each presenting to the public. Speakers often include: book authors, pilots, historians, and/or eyewitness accounts of historic events and sometimes include a slideshow. An opportunity for question and answer is provided followed by a member raffle for a flight that day, weather permitting.
At noon, again weather permitting, we fly the featured aircraft overhead for about 20 minutes. Featured aircraft are generally on display and available to photograph during the program. We have come to expect anywhere from 250 – 500 guests in attendance so please arrive early to secure a good seat and tour the Museum before the program starts.
Doors open at 9:00 a.m. on Saturdays and the gift shop has a limited number of author/speaker books available.
See you there!