Curtiss TP-40 Warhawk "American Dream"

            There are many stories associated with this aircraft.

The first Curtiss P-40 Warhawk flew in 1938. While its reputation is sometimes overshadowed by later World War II fighters, such as the P-51 Mustang, the P-40 was a successful design flown by most Allied countries during World War II. (Different countries referred to the P-40 by various names including Warhawk, Tomahawk, and Kittyhawk). P-40s remained in frontline service until the end of the war. By that time, it was the third-most produced U.S. fighter, after the Mustang and the P-47 Thunderbolt.

This P-40N-5 (serial number 42-104977, registration NL977WH) was built in 1942 and served with the U.S. Army Air Forces. In New Guinea in 1943 Lt. Joel Thorvaldson flew this aircraft and joined six other aircraft to intercept dozens of Japanese fighters and bombers. After he attacked a bomber and disabled a “Zeke” fighter, a “Zero” damaged Thorvaldson’s engine. Unable to return to his base, Thorvaldson landed the plane on its belly and survived for five days in the wilderness before being rescued by Australian soldiers. 

Thorvaldson continued his military service and had a long career in the Army and the Air Force, serving in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He flew 44 different kinds of aircraft, including more than 400 combat missions. He retired as a Colonel, then helped design and facilitate the adoption of the A-10 Warthog.

The wreckage of Thorvaldson’s P-40 was recovered in the 1990s and taken to Australia for restoration. The aircraft flew again in 2008.

Thom Richard owns and flies the plane now. Richard was born in Sweden. At the age of 7 an article about historic fighter aircraft racing at Reno, Nevada, inspired Richard to want to fly historic fighters. When he was 16 he obtained a glider pilot’s license. A year later he immigrated to the United States to pursue his passion for aviation. Since then he has built an aviation business, purchased and flown historic aircraft, won aircraft races, performed aerobatic demonstrations, instructed others how to fly historic aircraft, and learned to skydive.

After flying a P-40 Warhawk for a museum and performing aerobatic demonstrations in the Warhawk at airshows, Richard decided he’d like to own a P-40 trainer model (with a second seat) so he share his love of the P-40 with others. Airworthy P-40 trainers are rare, but in 2018 Richard found one to purchase. He named the aircraft “American Dream.” Its paint scheme honors the famous Flying Tigers, which flew P-40s in World War II opposing the Japanese invasion of China.

Seen at the 2024 Thunder Over Michigan airshow. #ThunderOverMI

Taken in: United States / Michigan / Van Buren Township / Denton (show map)

Taken on: July 20, 2024

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Sets appears in: • 2024 Thunder Over Michigan Airshow • Michigan Flight Museum/Yankee Air Museum more » • Michigan • Aviation & Space • World War II • Curtiss P-40 « less

Groups appears in: • Air Shows • WW II more » • Airplanes and Airports • WWII Fighters 1935-1945 • We Love Airplanes • Curtis P-40 • The Aviation Museum • Airshows of the World « less

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