The Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk fighter was a single-seat aircraft powered by a V-1710-39 Allison In-line liquid cooled engine. Note: the machine is currently fitted with a -81 model engine. The armament was six M2 0.50 inch calibre Browning machine guns, mounted in the wings. The airframe was manufactured primarily from aluminium although the control surfaces were fabric covered. Nearly 850 P-40s were acquired for use by the RAAF and served with distinction during the Second World War. The first machines were operated from 1941 in North Africa by 3 and 450 Squadrons RAAF. The first P-40s for service in the Pacific theatre were received by the RAAF from March 1942. The first of these entered action with 75 Squadron at Port Moresby within two weeks. The Kittyhawks were the only effective RAAF fighters throughout the fighting art Port Moresby and Milne Bay in 1942, the critical period when the Japanese advance towards Australia was stopped. Kittyhawks continued to play a major role throughout the remainder of the war in the Pacific equipping numerous RAAF squadrons. This example is a P-40E -I-CU and was constructed by the Curtiss Wright Corporation at their factory in Buffalo, New York, USA. The aircraft was allotted the US military serial 41-36084. It was shipped to Australia and was received by 2 Aircraft Depot in Richmond NSW 8 June 1942 and allotted the serial number A29-133. It was issued to 75 Squadron on 17th June 1942 and was subsequently flown mostly by 402342 Flight Lieutenant Bruce (Buster) Brown who named the aircraft 'Polly'