https://www.flickr.com/photos/133697406@N05/21616679251/
This image shows a P-40 B/C loaded on a flatbed trailer at the Buffalo Airport. Likely taken sometime during the winter of 1940–41, this image isn't from the Life Magazine collection.* I included it to show the earlier method that Curtiss used to transport finished aircraft to the airport for final testing, checkout, and delivery to the Army. Before the crush of production orders hit in 1940, loading the aircraft on train or truck (as shown here) was efficient enough. But after production increased, Curtiss quickly outgrew its Kenmore Avenue plant, and had to think of creative ways to eliminate bottlenecks in its overtaxed production process. Instead of train or truck, Curtiss test pilots simply flew newly minted aircraft right off the assembly line, using the parking lot of the factory as a makeshift runway.
Thanks Steve!
Could be Jess, very neat way to transport. Great photo. Wonder what that is on the floor of the stake bed, and if it is part of the P-40? Man that's still an awesome looking bird.
ReplyDeleteditto... I dig the lettering on the stakebed too, never seen a truck with the Curtiss logo before
DeleteMight be a delivery. Once it's paid for, as often military contracts are paid in advance, no one can fly it but the customer.
ReplyDeleteAh, okay Bruce that makes sense. Any idea what that object is in the back of the truck?
DeletePiece on the back is part of fuselage under cockpit behind the wing that had to be removed for transport.
DeleteDamifino, but it maybe the cowling under the wing after it's attached.
ReplyDeleteThis is a P-40 B Tomahawk. Judging from the roundels This picture must have been taking around the time of Pearl Harbor.
ReplyDeleteThe B had a range of 730 miles. Maybe its destination was further away. Hawaii perhaps.