The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk is an American single-engine metal fighter aircraft designed for attack, featuring a low-wing configuration with a classic tail. Its prototype flight took place in 1938, and serial production was carried out from 1938 to 1944.

The number of engines produced exceeded 15,000 by the end of production in December 1944. The development of the design began in 1937, when the prototype aircraft frame of version 75 was adapted to accommodate the inline 1167HP Allison V-1710-11 engine. The aircraft became the first American-built plane capable of flying at speeds over 483 km/h.

The version for the RAF was called Tomahawk Mk IIA, and the aircraft were equipped with self-sealing fuel tanks and two .7.7 mm machine guns installed on the wings.