Looking at P40 Speed Performance Numbers...

[ElAurens]

And there are some very strange anomalies, be sure.

When looking at the numbers in "America's Hundred Thousand", they bring up more questions than ones they answer.

First off a bit of background, and I will concern myself only with Hawk 87 models here as that is what we will be getting in 4.12.

The early high production model, the E, is shown as the fastest Hawk 87 with a speed of 360 mph at 15000ft. at MILITARY (not COMBAT/WEP) power. It had a basic weight of 6702lbs. not including ammo and fuel. As newer models came down the line their weights went up and top speeds came down some, or in the case of the Merlin powered F the speed curve just went UP the altitude curve to just under 365mph at 20,000ft.

Seeing that the P40s were getting ever porkier Curtiss made an effort to lighten the last production model, the N, and they were successful, getting it's BASIC weight down to 6717lbs, from the portly M's 6899lbs. However, it's top speed is listed as some 15 to 20mph lower than the P 40E, at 345 ish mph. at a slightly higher altitude. Still at MILITARY, not COMBAT power.

Something is not adding up here, as other sources I recall show the Ns as the fastest production models.

I'll keep looking for answers, but anyone else have any clues?