Page 69 - History of War - Issue 30-16
P. 69
THE FLYING TIGERS
VISIBILITY
Visibility was adequate although restricted by
the complex windscreen frame. Ground visibility
was especially poor, which contributed to
accidents along with the narrow landing gear.
FIRE EXTINGUISHER
A ire extinguisher was kept under the seat
and a irst aid kit was attached to the right-
hand side of the cockpit. Both could mean
the difference between life and death.
LANDING GEAR
The narrow landing gear track made
the P-40 prone to accidents on the
ground. Numerous i ghters were lost in
training accidents with novice Chinese
and American pilots at the controls.
ARMAMENT AIRFRAME
COCKPIT .50-calibre Browning M2 machine guns The steel airframe made the aircraft heavy © Alex Pang www.alexpangillustration.com
The armoured cockpit absorbed provided heavy irepower. Some variants of and rugged. Such construction made the
punishment and contributed to the P-40 also mounted .30-calibre machine P-40 capable of absorbing tremendous
pilot survivability. In contrast, guns; however, the heavier Browning M2 was amounts of enemy ire and bringing
Japanese aircraft were lightly more effective against enemy targets. its pilot home safely. Ground crewmen
armoured and quite susceptible patched damaged aircraft and got them
to explosions in midair. back into their air as rapidly as possible.
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