Kittyhawk I AK940

Kittyhawk I AK940
RCAF Serial 1058
Page 1

This P-40 was built as a Kittyhawk I for the British. As it was purchased by the British Purchasing Commission, it did not fall under any Lend-Lease agreement and therefore did not receive a US Army serial number. It was allocated the RAF serial AK940 but was handed over to Canada and given the RCAF serial 1058. This Hawk served with 111(F) Squadron in Alaska and with 133(F) Squadron, flying air defense patrols. The aircraft was struck off charge in August of 1946 and put up for sale, like so many other RCAF Kittyhawks.

AK940 (LZ-E) is seen here with AK905 (LZ-D) and AL194 (LZ-V) while on patrol in Alaska during 1942.

Project 914 Archives (S. Donacik collection) - Larger Image

After being kicked around for a couple decades AK940 was restored and flown for many years by William 'Doc' Anderson as part of the original National Warplane Museum in Geneseo, NY and later as part of the Historical Aircraft Group .
In 1995 AK940 was damaged in a forced landing due to engine failure and was acquired by Dick Thurman. The aircraft spent some time out in Chino before being shipped to New Zealand where restoration work was begun by Avspecs Limited and Pioneer Aero Restorations. While in New Zealand AK940 was sold to Tony Banta and he now flies her out of Livermore, California.
AK940 was modified to accommodate a second seat which I initially found to be quite disappointing. However a fella who works with Mr. Banta has informed me that the modifications were not so drastic as I had thought and this has been confirmed by Andy Hosking of Avspecs Limited. Mr. Hosking was the one who made the 2-seat mod to this aircraft and, with his kind offer of information and images, I hope to be able to present a separate page dealing with this second restoration of AK940.
Anyhoo, as may be evident, I have a special affinity for this particular Hawk, having seen her displayed and flown at about two dozen airshows as well as making numerous visits to the hangar in Geneseo. I was able to become quite familiar with AK940 and I miss her a bunch. I hope someday to be able to get out West to see her at least once more...

More specific information about this airframe can be found on the following pages:
P-40E/AK940
Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk - AK940
More photos of this Hawk can be found on the following page:

Curtiss P-40 Warhawk

Hamilton 1984

The following three photos were taken by my Dad at the 1984 Hamilton airshow.

Norb 'Bruno' Donacik photo ©

Here's one happy kid!!

This was the beginning of my 'love affair' with AK940...

Norb 'Bruno' Donacik photo ©

Geneseo 1984

The following series of photos was taken by my Dad at Geneseo in 1984, after Doc painted the spinner red.

All photos: Norb 'Bruno' Donacik ©

More coming from this series...

Geneseo 1988

The following photo was taken by the Webmaster at Genny in 1988...

Looking at that shot with the 'ole Hawk kickin' up the dust...
It's like going back in time...

Cover Girl

AK940 appeared on the cover of the March/April 1989 ish of 'Warbirds International', and was
the subject of an accompanying feature article written by the late Jeff Ethell.

Sometime in the future I hope to be able to present the article here, in its entirety.
Until then, here are three images from that rag, including the cover and centerfold...

R.E.Bagg photos

MUCH MORE TO COME...
More photos of AK940 as she appears today as part of Tony Banta's collection
can be seen on page two of this feature...

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