Important Things Inside The Cockpit of A P-40 Kittyhawk

Although the P-40 Kittyhawk may not be as popular as the P-47 or the P-51, the P-40 Kittyhawk “Aleutian Tiger” is still one fascinating aircraft. So, what’s inside of the P-40’s cockpit?

Pilot’s Left

The Fegan Fighters have this plane in immaculate flying condition. On the left, you can see the flap control handle, with the red handle as the landing gear lever. Here, you can also find the flywheels.

In the throttle quadrant, you can find the throttle with an integrated push-to-talk button for the VHF set SCR 522. The mixture control handle is found right next to it with the propeller pitch handle used in conjunction. Rounding off this side, there’s also the fuel tank selector.

The Front

Starting on the top, you can find the position where you can see the gun site.

On the forward instruments, you’d see the landing gear position indicator, a radio contactor, fuselage tank fuel indicator. There’s also the basic six – the compass, a speedometer, and the altimeter in feet. 

Pilot’s Right

Moving on to the right-hand side, you’d find the modern Garmin navigational equipment (this wasn’t available during WWII). Below it, you’ll see a turn and slip indicator, a vertical speedometer, another compass, and the artificial horizon. You’ll also see here the fuel suction gauge and the free air temperature gauge. 

On the lower central console, you’d see the parking brake, the booster pump switch, the propeller control switch, the ignition switch, and the electric control switches. You’d also find the weapon control switches for guns, bombs, and a gun camera. 

The Stick

You can see a rear fuel tank indicator to its left with the same gauge installed forward of the stick on the right-hand side.

The stick gives the obligatory pitch and roll control, a toggle switch, a gun trigger, and finally the push-to-talk button for the command radio.