Tony Banta - P-40E -
Warhawk
Tony Banta is the
owner and operator of this combat veteran Curtiss P-40E
Kittyhawk. The Curtiss P-40 was a development of the
radial engined P-36/Hawk 75. The prototype XP-40 was a
converted P-36A with the R-1830 replaced with an Allison
V-1710-19 liquid cooled V-12. First flown in October
1938, the P-40 was evaluated at Wright Field in May 1939
resulting in an order for 524 aircraft.
Tony Banta's P-40E
has undergone a 21 month restoration. Originally
restored in the early 1980's it was badly damaged in a
forced landing in 1996. Stored for some time, it was
initially purchased by Dick Thurman and subsequently
sold to Tony Banta. Restoration was begun in June 2000
and it flew again on the 24th March 2002. The aircraft
has made its debut at the 'Warbirds Over Wanaka' 2002
airshow.
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