Often overshadowed by more glamourous aircraft such as the Spitfire and Hurricane, the P-40 was, in fact, a pretty good dog fighter and superb close air support aircraft. Then ubiquitous P-40 first saw combat during the Second World War as part of the RAF’s Desert Air Force in North Africa.  RCAF fighter pilots flew with distinction while attached to RAF P-40 units such as 112, 260 and 250 Squadrons from Egypt to Algeria.

The sturdy and simple design of the P-40 made it well suited to mobile operations, flying from makeshift airfields near the constantly changing fronts of the North African Campaign. In the hands of a gifted fighter pilot like Stocky Edwards, the P-40 was a formidable opponent, even for more capable Axis fighter aircraft.