The Curtis P-40 is dedicated to past, present, and future "Flying Tigers," honoring those who blazed a path of glory in the skies over China during World War II and those who blaze a path of glory into space. The aircraft saw action on every front throughout World War II but gained lasting fame through the exploits of Claire Lee Chennault's American Volunteer Group, the "Flying Tigers." As inheritors of that flying legacy, Fourteenth Air Force fighter crews adopted the famous Tiger Shark mouth motif. This is a replica of the P-40E flown by Bruce K. Holloway, who commanded the 23d Fighter Group of the 14th Air Force in World War II. Holloway finished the war with thirteen confirmed kills, tying him as the leading P-40 fighter ace in 15th Air Force. In addition to the P-40, 14th Air Force crews in the China-Burma-India theater flew a variety of aircraft with distinction, including the B-25 Mitchell, the B-24 Liberator, the P-38 Lightning, the P-51 Mustang, and the P-47 Thunderbolt.

Photo: Michael Kindig

Vandenberg AFB, California · USA