| The P-40M was basically a P-40K-20 with a Allison
V-1710-81 engine. The rarity of the Merlin engines at the time forced the
Curtiss company to revert back to the Allison from the more powerful Merlin's.
The main visual difference was the cooling grills just forward of the exhaust
stacks. The P-40M-1's had reinforced ailerons, the P-40M-5's had improved
carburetor air filters and improved ailerons again, and the P-40M-10's had a
modified undercarriage warning system and fuel system changes. Some sources
believe the P-40M was
built purely for Lend-Lease. 264 were supplied to the Royal Air Force and were designated Kittyhawk III's, with the serial numbers FR779 through to FR872 and FS100 through to FS269. 168 P-40M's were supplied to Australia and carried the designation Kittyhawk III's. 34 P-40M's were shipped to New Zealand. 19 P-40M's were transferred to Brazil. |
P-40M Specifications:
| Span | 37 ft 4 in |
| Length | 33 ft 4 in |
| Height | 12 ft 4 in |
| Wing Area | 236 sq ft |
| Empty Weight | 6,470 lb |
| Loaded Weight | 9,100 lb |
| Max. Speed | 360 mph |
| Cruise Speed | 275 mph |
| Ceiling | 30,000 ft |
| Rate of Climb | 2,200 fpm |
| Range | 350 to 1,600 miles |
| Powerplant | Allison V-1710-81 of 1,200 hp |