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The Flying Tigers, known officially as the American Volunteer Group, were a unit of the Republic of China Air Force, recruited from U.S. aviators. From late 1941, the P-40B was used by the Flying Tigers. Compared to opposing Japanese fighters, the P-40B's strengths were that it was very sturdy, well armed, generally faster in a dive and possessed a good rate of roll. While the P-40s could not match the maneuverability of Japanese Nakajima Ki-27s and Ki-43s they were facing, AVG leader Claire Chennault trained his pilots to use the P-40's particular performance advantages. The P-40 had a higher dive speed than the Japanese fighters, for example, and could be used to exploit so-called "boom-and-zoom" tactics. The AVG was highly successful, and its feats were widely-published, for propaganda purposes. According to their own count, the Flying Tigers shot down 286 aircraft for the loss of up to 19 pilots. The lowest count of AVG victories from other sources is 115 kills. In 1940 Charles (Chuck) Older was assigned to VMF-1. In July 1941 he resigned the Marines and joined the AVG. The 3 AVG squadrons were "Adam and Eve", "Panda Bear" and "Hell's Angels" to which Older was assigned. In December 1941 Older scored 5 victories over Rangoon, Burma. Older became a double Ace with the AVG and later added 8 more victories. Older fought in Korea and when he retired became a judge who presided over the Charles Manson case. Curtiss P-40B WarhawkDesigned to meet a USAAC requirement for a pursuit aircraft, the P-40 Warhawk was first flown on October 14th, 1938. This aircraft was tough, virtually trouble-free and saw continual improvements to arms, armor and engines. The P-40 served in numerous combat areas; often outclassed by its adversaries in speed, maneuverability and rate of climb, it earned a reputation for extreme ruggedness. Its strong construction, heavy firepower, and ability to dive enabled it to compete with enemy fighters, and it was a formidable ground-attack aircraft. P-40s were also flown by the famed Flying Tigers against the Japanese in China.© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc. Hobby Master 1:48 Air Power SeriesThe Hobby Master "1:48 Air Power Series" range presents detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft.Hobby Master "1:48 Air Power Series" diecast airplanes feature:
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