Curtiss P-40 Warhawk / Tomahawk / Kittyhawk Aircraft Manuals Collection

This is the definitive technical reference for one of WWII's most iconic and widely-deployed fighters — the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, known in British Commonwealth service as the Tomahawk and Kittyhawk. This collection brings together 23 authentic wartime manuals spanning every major variant from the early Kittyhawk I to the definitive P-40N, covering pilot operations, erection and maintenance, overhaul, structural repair, parts catalogs, service bulletins, and cold weather operations.

Definitive Collection with Free Lifetime Updates: This is a living collection that we continuously expand and refine. As we acquire additional P-40 documentation, technical bulletins, or variant-specific materials, we update this collection and provide free lifetime updates to all purchasers. Your one-time purchase guarantees access to all future additions and improvements to this collection.

Historical Note

The Curtiss P-40 entered service in 1940 as the primary American pursuit aircraft of the period, and went on to serve on every major front of World War II — from the deserts of North Africa and the jungles of the Pacific to the Eastern Front with Soviet forces. Over 13,700 were built between 1939 and 1944, making it the third most-produced American fighter of the war.

The aircraft's aerodynamic development was shaped by intensive NACA wind tunnel studies conducted between March and April 1939 on the XP-40 prototype. These tests led to the critical redesign of the cooling system, relocating the glycol radiator to the distinctive chin scoop — a defining visual feature of all subsequent P-40 variants. North American Aviation later purchased a complete set of P-40 wind tunnel data and flight test reports to assist in developing the P-51 Mustang's cooling system aerodynamics.

Early models were powered by the Allison V-1710-33 (1,040–1,150 hp), a 12-cylinder liquid-cooled V-12 with a single-stage, single-speed supercharger. This supercharger configuration limited high-altitude performance — the P-40 performed best below 16,000 ft — but made it a formidable low-altitude fighter and ground attack platform. The P-40F and L variants addressed this limitation by adopting the Packard-built Rolls-Royce Merlin V-1650-1 (1,300 hp). Late P-40N models used the V-1710-81 or -99, and the increased torque of these engines required a lengthened rear fuselage — the so-called "longtail" N — to restore directional stability.

The P-40 featured a strong five-spar wing structure with NACA 2215 airfoil at the root and NACA 2209 at the tip, fabric control surfaces for weight reduction, and a maximum lift coefficient of approximately 1.67 at a stall speed of 90 mph (8,165 lb gross weight). Formal handling trials (AVIA 734 Report 783) noted aileron and elevator operation without undue friction, pendulum-type rudder pedals with adjustable fore-and-aft range, and a cockpit comfortable for large pilots — though reaching full forward column travel required a considerable forward stretch.

The P-40 achieved legendary status with the American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers) in China, where Claire Chennault developed "boom and zoom" dive-and-disengage tactics that exploited the aircraft's excellent dive acceleration and high-speed stability. The P-40B and C introduced armor and self-sealing fuel tanks — critical for crew survival — while the P-40D/E dropped synchronized nose guns in favor of four, then six, wing-mounted .50 caliber machine guns for improved firepower and easier maintenance. The P-40L and N were weight-reduction programs designed to restore the maneuverability lost to the added armor and armament of earlier variants.

Manuals Included in This Collection

• Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk I — Preliminary Manual — A.P. 2014A — 1941
• Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk I — Preliminary Repair Manual — A.P. 2014A — 1941 — Volume II
• Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk I with Allison V-1710 F.3R Engine — Pilot's Notes — A.R. 2014A — 1941
• Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk I with Allison V-1710-C15 Engine — Pilot's Notes — A.R. 2013A — 1941
• Curtiss P-40 All Models — Service Bulletins Manual — Rep. 1000
• Curtiss P-40 Series — Service Instructions Manual (Armament, Hydraulic and Fuselage Tank) — T.O. 01-25C-2 — 1942
• Curtiss P-40 B and C Pursuit Airplane — Parts Catalog — T.O. 01-25CE-4 — 1943
• Curtiss P-40 M and N Pursuit Airplane — Parts Catalog — T.O. 01-25C-4 — 1945
• Curtiss P-40 N — Pilot's Handbook of Preliminary Flight Operating Instructions — Rep. 930 — 1943
• Curtiss P-40 N — Preliminary Handbook Erection and Maintenance Instructions — Rep. 936 — 1943
• Curtiss P-40 N Series — Cold Weather Operations and Maintenance Instructions Data — T.O. 01-25CN-30 — 1943
• Curtiss P-40 N Series — Basic Weight Check List and Loading Data — T.O. 01-25CN-5 — 1943
• Curtiss P-40 N Series Kittyhawk IV — Erection and Maintenance Instructions — T.O. 01-25CN-2 — 1944
• Curtiss P-40 K, K-1 and British Model Kittyhawk III Series — Parts Catalog — T.O. 01-25CK-4 — 1943
• Curtiss P-40 K, K-1, M — Erection and Maintenance Instruction Manual — T.O. 01-25CK-2 — 1943
• Curtiss P-40 K Series — Overhaul Instructions Manual — T.O. 01-25CK-3 — 1942
• Curtiss P-40 E-1 Fighter Airplane — Parts Catalog — T.O. 01-25CJ-4 — 1942
• Curtiss P-40 E-1 British Model Kittyhawk 1A — Erection and Maintenance Instructions — T.O. 01-25CJ-2 — 1942
• Curtiss P-40 F — Service Instructions Manual — T.O. 01-25CH-2 — 1942
• Curtiss P-40 F, L Aircraft — Pilot's Flight Manual — T.O. 01-25CH-1 — 1943
• Curtiss P-40 D and P-40 E — Pilot's Operating Instructions — T.O. 01-25CF-1 — 1943
• Curtiss P-40 D, E, E-1 and F — Structural Repair Instructions — T.O. 01-25C-3 — 1943
• Curtiss P-40 — Pilot Training Manual — 1944

This collection spans the full production arc of the P-40 family, from the earliest British Kittyhawk I and Tomahawk I pilot notes (1941) through the definitive P-40N Kittyhawk IV erection and maintenance manual (1944) and the comprehensive all-models service bulletins compendium. Variant coverage includes the B, C, D, E, E-1, F, K, K-1, L, M, and N series, with both USAAF Technical Orders and British Air Publication references represented.

Engineering Norms and Standards

Documentation in this collection was produced under USAAF Technical Order (T.O.) numbering conventions and British Air Publication (A.P./A.R.) standards, reflecting the dual-nation procurement of the P-40 under Lend-Lease. Engineering practices followed Curtiss-Wright Corporation's internal manufacturing standards and USAAF MIL-SPEC requirements of the period. The Allison V-1710 engine documentation references Army Air Forces engine maintenance standards, while the Packard Merlin variants (P-40F/L) follow Rolls-Royce/Packard overhaul norms. Performance data in this collection reflects the following benchmarks:

• P-40B: 352 mph max speed, 14.5 m/s initial climb, Allison V-1710-33
• P-40E: 334–360 mph max speed, 10.7 m/s initial climb, Allison V-1710-39
• P-40N: 378 mph max speed, 11.4 m/s initial climb, Allison V-1710-81/-99
• Service ceiling: 29,000–35,000 ft (effective combat altitude significantly lower due to supercharger limitations)
• Armament: Six .50 caliber M2 Browning wing-mounted machine guns (P-40E onward)

Format and Delivery

All manuals are delivered as high-resolution PDF files, optimized for both screen reading and printing. Files are organized by variant and document type for easy navigation. Instant download — no shipping, no waiting. Compatible with all PDF readers on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.

Disclaimer

Sold for historical and reference purposes only. These manuals are digitized from wartime archives and are not intended for current airworthiness certification, active maintenance, or repair work on any aircraft. Information is provided for scholarly, archival, and research use. Completeness and accuracy of original source documents are not guaranteed. All trade names, trademarks, and manufacturer names are the property of their respective owners. Copyright © Sicuro Publishing.