How Good Was The Curtiss XP-40Q – The Mustang and Warhawk Mix?

The P-40 was considered Curtiss-Wright’s biggest contribution to the Allied war effort, with about 13,738 of these fighters built. The P-40 was the ninth most produced fighter of the conflict.

However, in 1943, the P-40 found itself relegated to lesser roles in favor of more capable aircraft such as the Thunderbolt and the Mustang.

An Improved Warhawk

With no new designs on hand, Curtiss offered an even more improved version of the Warhawk – the P40Q.

These planes were built on damaged examples of P-40s that were modified to see further improvements to the basic Warhawk.

P-40Q-1

The first P-40Q, the Q-1 was a comparatively straightforward conversion of a P-40K-10 damaged on a landing accident. The nose was lengthened, accommodating the Allison V-1710-101 engine.

It featured a four-bladed propeller with four 0.50-caliber Browning heavy machine guns.

P-40Q-2

Curtiss improved on the design, undergoing a rebuild of the P-40Q-2. The fighter had a slimmer configuration than most P-40s and the radiators were moved to the wings.

The most notable change was that it had a bubble canopy for enhanced pilot visibility.

The P-40Q-2 is equipped with an even more powerful V-1710-121 engine. However, it was damaged in an accident, and the focus switched to the P-40Q-2A.

P-40Q-2A

This was originally a P-40K-1 and had the same features as its predecessor. Along with its bubble canopy, it gave it a look similar to the P-51 Mustang.

However, the wings of the P-40Q were the original P-40 thickness, not the laminar types used on the Mustang.

P-40Q-3

The  P-40Q-3 was built off a P-40N. Again, it had the V-1710-121 engine, the same as the previous Q-2s. The canopy was modified slightly giving it a lower profile.

Still, it experienced engine problems and was damaged soon after delivery for testing.

Conclusion

Despite the P-40Q’senhanced performance, it didn’t offer anything over the P-51 and P-47 which was becoming increasingly formidable in mounting numbers.

The days of the Warhawk’s production were numbered with the last one rolling off the line in November 1944.