A combination of aircraft types not seen together since the opening months of the Pacific War: P-40C N80FR, A6M3 Zero NX712X and A6M5-52 Zero N46770. In flight the P-40C clearly shows its ancestral links with the radial-engined P-36 Mohawk. Another point of difference is that the Mohawk had round-headed rivets, while the P-40s used the newer flush rivets.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk - СШАUSA - 1939Mitsubishi A6M Reisen - ЯпонияJapan - 1939Mitsubishi A6M5 Reisen - ЯпонияJapan - 1943

At the time of the photographic sortie the P-40C had accumulated 5hr of flight test time, all with Steve Hinton at the controls. Alan Preston, pilot of the Museum of Flying’s Zero, later commented: “It was like the Twilight Zone. I was flying with the P-40C off one wingtip and the Zero off the other. It was a bit hard to comprehend.”

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk - СШАUSA - 1939Mitsubishi A6M Reisen - ЯпонияJapan - 1939Mitsubishi A6M5 Reisen - ЯпонияJapan - 1943

Apart from the historic combination of P-40C and Zeros, the Zeros alone made the event unique, because it was the first time these two classics had been in formation. The Museum of Flying example was the subject of Aeroplane’s front cover in September 1998.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mitsubishi A6M Reisen - ЯпонияJapan - 1939Mitsubishi A6M5 Reisen - ЯпонияJapan - 1943

Thierry Thomassin took this superb air-to-air study of the Fighter Collection’s newly-completed Curtiss P-40C Tomahawk during its third post-restoration flight from Chino on September 8, 1998, with Steve Hinton at the controls. The green primer and gleaming metal was subsequently covered up with a temporary Flying Tigers scheme for a further special air-to-air sortie with Michael O’Leary

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk - СШАUSA - 1939

The P-40C was temporarily finished in a “Hollywood” paint scheme representing a Tomahawk flown by American Volunteer Group pilot Eric Shilling. Steve has a secret formula, using the American household polish Mop’n’Glo combined with various colours, to create an authentic if temporary camouflage scheme.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk - СШАUSA - 1939

The P-40 in its unrestored state at Duxford in July 1992, with Soviet markings still visible.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk - СШАUSA - 1939