P-40E Identification
Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 7:54 pm
Hi, I'm a sheet metal troop working a restoration on a P-40. From what I'm told it is an E model, but I'm not sure.
Truth be told it seems I'm the only one with a hand in the project that's really interested in the authenticity of the restoration and the identity of the original aircraft. From what I understand no one is quite sure -what- the original tail number was, though there are two possibilities floating around. One has been researched and found as "sold for scrap" in 1948, the other seems to have been in the middle of long -lost-and-found-and-lost-again- game.
So, what I'm really asking here, what are some good ways to identify this ac? I was told that there was a number stamped on the lower left longeron in the cockpit (Customer Sequence Number) that would help, but unfortunately I can't find it. The whole thing is a bit corroded, not to mention it was gutted on the orginal restoration, and all I can find is where a plate used to be -no doubt taken as a souvenir- and to boot, it's on an upper longeron, not a lower one.
If anyone could help me out I would really appreciate it! Thanks!
Truth be told it seems I'm the only one with a hand in the project that's really interested in the authenticity of the restoration and the identity of the original aircraft. From what I understand no one is quite sure -what- the original tail number was, though there are two possibilities floating around. One has been researched and found as "sold for scrap" in 1948, the other seems to have been in the middle of long -lost-and-found-and-lost-again- game.
So, what I'm really asking here, what are some good ways to identify this ac? I was told that there was a number stamped on the lower left longeron in the cockpit (Customer Sequence Number) that would help, but unfortunately I can't find it. The whole thing is a bit corroded, not to mention it was gutted on the orginal restoration, and all I can find is where a plate used to be -no doubt taken as a souvenir- and to boot, it's on an upper longeron, not a lower one.
If anyone could help me out I would really appreciate it! Thanks!