CURTISS Warhawk (4125163)

More information from the PASM website:

"Manufacturer: CURTISS
Markings: 49th Fighter Group, 9th Fighter Squadron, Darwin, Australia, 1942
Designation: P-40E
Serial Number: 41-25163
CURTISS P-40E WARHAWK
The P-40 is probably the most recognizable of the Curtiss Aircraft Company’s designs. Developed from the P-36A in 1938 the P-40 was technologically inferior to the fighters then in production and development elsewhere in the world. However, it was ordered in large numbers by the U.S. Army and in smaller numbers by the British and French primarily because it could be built quickly and in large numbers using existing production lines. The P-40E model was upgraded with six wing mounted .50 caliber machine guns in place of the original four wing guns. The P-40 remained in production until 1944 and served throughout the war, despite being superseded by newer designs. Curtiss built a total of 13,738 aircraft, by far the largest production run of any Curtiss design. This aircraft has been reconstructed from the parts of several P-40s."


And more from information posted at the display:

"...This aircraft has been reconstructed from parts of several Curtiss P-40E Warhawks. Due to the unknown provenance, it was decided to paint the aircraft in the markings of serial number 41-25163. Delivered on February 18, 1942, the aircraft was to be assigned to the Netherlands East Indies but was transferred to the Royal Australian Air Force. After arriving in Australia, it was diverted to the Army Air Forces serving with the 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group. The aircraft was assigned to and named by Sidney S. Woods of Airzona. "Arizona" flew combat missions in Northern Australia and New Guinea until December 1942."