p40b

Curtiss P-40B 41-5304 "53" (last B model produced) of the USAAC ca. mid-'41. This a/c is noted as having served w/ the 19th PS 18th PG at Wheeler Field on 7 Dec 41, so it was probably one of the 83 a/c destroyed during the two waves of attacking Japanese warplanes by 0945 that morning. (Note: The nickname "Warhawk" was first used by Curtiss with production of the P-40F, so earlier use on the P-40B's thru E's were assigned retroactively. "Tomahawk" & "Kitttyhawk" were names used by the RAF / RAAF.)

Apparently, the added "TH" was their way of celebrating the assembly of the final (99th) Hawk 81A-2; it was not a reference to a unit number, since the AVG had only three squadrons - 1st "Adam & Eves," 2nd "Panda Bears" & 3rd "Hell's Angels." This aircraft was later re-numbered "92", assigned to the AVG's 3rd Pursuit Squadron with pilot Robert "Duke" Hedman. Pentecost's name doesn't appear on the AVG's roster; perhaps he worked for CAMCO (Central Aircraft Manufacturing Company), the concern tasked with assembling the birds - and doing subsequent major repair work.

The last of 99 Curtiss Hawk 81A-2's assembled by CAMCO personnel, painted with a large "99th" to celebrate the event. This aircraft was later re-numbered "92", assigned to the AVG's 3rd Pursuit Squadron with pilot Robert "Duke" Hedman.