The P-40 in Soviet Aviation

Abstract

This article, based on archival documents, covers the history of American Curtiss P-40 fighters in the Soviet aviation. USSR received 2134 aircraft of this type in 1941–1944. They were widely used in all branches of Soviet aviation—Air Forces, Air Defense (PVO), and naval aviation. They were considered as average fighters—better than old Soviet types and British Hurricanes but worse than P-39, Yak, or Lavochkin. Supply routes, dates of delivery, conversion training of Soviet pilots, combat success of regiments equipped with P-40, tactics, specific features related to the type implementation at various fronts, as well as evaluation of the type by pilots and commanders are thoroughly presented. Numerous data from archival documents are introduced.