TIGER! Aviation art print by Jack Fellows portrays the Curtiss P-40C of Robert T. "Tadpole" Smith of the American Volunteer Group, The Flying Tigers. Smith's assigned P-40C was number 77, Third Squadron, as depicted in Fellows' dramatic painting. This is a large print. It is matted in dark violet with a red inner mat, and measures 21" x 38". It is framed in black metal. Though the AVG's most formidable opponent, the Japanese Zero fighter, was more maneuverable and had a faster rate of climb, The Flying Tigers' Curtiss P-40 was faster in level speed and, due to it's rugged construction, was able to absorb much more battle damage than the Japanese fighter. The P-40C was powered by an Allison V-12 liquid-cooled engine rated at 1,090 hp. Maximum speed was 345 mph at 15,000 feet. Armament consisted of two .50 caliber machine guns mounted on top of the nose, and four .30 caliber machine guns mounted in the wings. Operational in August 1941 and led by General Claire Chennault, the AVG developed tactics which used the P-40's strengths to best advantage. By the time The Flying Tigers were incorporated into the USAAF as the 23rd Fighter Group on July 15, 1942, they had 286 confirmed victories to their credit, with another 300 "probable" aircraft destroyed, while losing only 12 of their own aircraft and eight pilots. Please see the "Frame Info" tab for complete information on how we frame our artwork. Item price includes ground shipping to the continental U.S.
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