1st Combat Mission of the AVG/Flying Tigers

[aaatripp]

Great question GuerraCivil:

They were P-40Bs destined originally for the French, then the English in an order dating back to before the fall of France in the spring of 1940.

Since the a/c were indeed modified once they reached Burma, many historians refer to this modified P-40B as a "C model" since it was clearly different from the B model. Some of the modifications were:

1. Robert M. Smith, HQ Communications personnel, was small in stature and spent much time installing civilian aviation radios into the cramped rear storage compartment in those searing hot tropical temperatures.
2. Armorers fashioned a bomb rack on some of the a/c. Chuck Baisden would be the best source on this for the 3rd Squadron.
3. Charlie Mott developed an electrical or optical gunsight to augment or
replace the iron ring sights.

No doubt Walter Pentecost of CAMCO would have been involved, to some extent, in these modifications.

Thanks for your interest in the AVG. We welcome additional information from Forum members....please respond.

Tripp

Tripp Alyn, chair
Historical & Museums Committee
Flying Tigers Association