Academy #12468 The Fighter of World War ll P-40E 1/72 The Curtiss P-40 was the only USAAF fighter available in quantity when the US entered WWII in 1941. By that time, the aircraft was almost obsolete compared to its adversaries but soldiered on throughout the war as various improvements were made in its design. The P-40E gained fame through its use by Gen Claire Chennault's Flying Tigers in China but the aircraft also saw service across the globe from Alaska to N. Africa.