French P-40's

[Alex Smart]

Hello,

French P-40's.

Were some P-40's delivered to the french in North Africa before the Torch operations began ?

reason I ask is that i recall seeing a photo of a P-40 in what to me was Vichy French markings.

Were they delivered and stored in North Africa and only brought out when the Torch operation was completed and then put into Free french service?

Alex

[Graham Boak]

No. The French P-40s were handed over from USAAF units.

[Guy JULIEN]

Hi,
Two French pilots belonging to the famous GC 2/5 "Lafayette" operating in North Africa have defected on the begining of 1943 and crah-landed their p-40 near Sète.
The southern french coasts were occupied in this time by Germans perhaps these planes were captured and repaired by the lutfwaffe...
Regards
Guy

[Alex Smart]

Hello Guy,

But if that were the case wouldn't they dress them in German colours ?

Alex

[Guy JULIEN]

<P>Yes, You've right the Vichy's air force was disbanded months ago (November 1942).</P>
<P>Cheers</P>
<P>Guy</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>