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Initial P-40 construction stage, wing parts were slightly wrapped from prolonged storage in high humid conditions by previous model kit owner, hence white modeling putty used to fill in the seams between wings and fuselage.  This kit was produced back in 1970s and storage conditions varied depending on the owner. For example, if previous owner was heavy cigarette smoker, then model kits sold by them may have extensive cigarette odor embedded on the plastic. One remedy is to soak entire plastic parts in bucket of warm soap water, cigarette odor should dissipate after a few hours in the soak.
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Rollover : P-40 bottom assembly, majority of parts glued onto plane for paint priming and final painting since it was easier logistically. Plane had bottom slot for external fuel tank, but pre-WW2 US stateside P-40 fighters did not carry this tank, hence hole was plugged with white putty. US WW2 Army Navy Fighters - airwar.hihome.com/gwp/gwp-usa.htm
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Inset 1 : P-40C close-up showing upgraded armaments of 2@50-cal (12.7mm) machine guns on top of engine, and 4@30-cal (7.62mm) machine guns in wing roots. In-line liquid cooled Allison engine and air intake vents nestled underneath propeller gave Tomahawk distinctive appearance. In-line liquid cooled engine possessed smaller frontal area drag contrasted with air-cooled radial engines, hence offered more power. .50 BMG - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.50_BMG
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P-40 and P-51 fighters did share a common history, in that British contracted US to build P-40 as ground attack aircraft. The Brits conceived of a new ground attack fighter called A-36 Apache, since they did not possess extra manufacturing capacity, its production was passed to Americans. US produced the A-36 using the P-40 assembly line, subsequently refined it with streamline design and powerful engine, which resulted in famed P-51 Mustang fighter series. P-51 Mustang - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-51
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Inset 2 : Schematic of Mitchel Field located at Long Island - New York circa early-1940s when  US Army 20th Pursuit Group was stationed there. Map shows runway tarmac and navigation landing lights. The air force base was closed in 1961, but still maintains military housing and other logistical complexes. Mitchel Air Force Base - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitchel_Field
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In WW2 termology, one hears Air Field, Airdrome, Air Base, basically they mainly reference to runway conditions for planes to take-off. Air Field and Air Base terms used interchangeably, refer to runway layout of packed earth or laden with steel mesh screens or created with concrete / asphalt. Airbase - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbase
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Airdrome refers to level grassy knolls in open fields, this was common practice before establishment of permanent civilian airports or military airbases. Airdrome - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airdrome
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Inset 3 : 1938 maiden flight by bare metal skinned XP-40 "11 MD", referring to 11th aircraft used for flight tests by US Army Material Division. This plane prototype was based on Curtiss P-36 Hawk fighter design, but had previous Pratt & Whitney 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engine replaced by liquid-cooled supercharged Allison engine, which streamlined design with more power and less frontal area drag. P-36 Hawk - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-36_Hawk
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Nevertheless, overall P-40 design did not incorporate 2-stage supercharger, hence could not compete effectively in high altitude aerial combat. Thus P-40 relegated to mainly medium-level aerial engagements and ground support sorties. General postwar opinions viewed P-40 as good interceptor, but lackluster fighter. Supercharger - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercharger
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