The Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk performed excellent service with the RAF, RAAF and South African Air Force squadrons of the Desert Air Force, and contributed greatly to the allies’ eventual victory. Developed from the Radial-Engined P-36A Hawk, the Curriss XP-40 prototype flew for the first time in October, 1938. The US Army Air Corps ordered 524 aircraft, which was later reduced to just 200. In 1940, the RAF recieved 140 P-40’s, originally destined for france. Although considered unsuitable for operation by the Fighter Command, the P-40s found use with the Army Co-operation Command as the Tomahawk I. Aircraft ordered by the USAAC were given extra armour protection and additional armament, and were designated P-40Bs. The RAF recieved 110 of these as Tomahawk IIAs. Most further varients featured upgraded armament or engine swaps: the Packard powered P-40F and P-40L, and the Allison engined P-40N. Total production was 13,738.