This is an original TP-40N. There were something like only 40 TP-40N produced, the T standing for Trainer. This is an original, not modified twin seat TP-40 and that makes it very special. Now if it had growling teeth and a big on on the front cowling you might recognize it better. The P-40 Warhawk is what the Flying Tigers flew in China prior to WWII, this being the plane they would have trained in prior to shipping out.
I now regret I didn’t spend more time shooting details of the TP-40 (it’s the only plane of the five I didn’t). What I find personally so fascinating about it now is just look at how different the same plane looks in different light. It’s never the same and now I wonder if that’s the genius of the paint scheme or just the light by itself. Of course, it also makes me wonder which one I like the best so next time I’m in the air with it, I can make the most of it. So much to learn, so much to remember…..
What I particularly liked about out orbits this morning with the TP-40 were the incredibly varying backgrounds. Each one was unique and said a little something different. I find backgrounds to be a real challenge when you’re doing air to air. The first challenge is, where are the good and great backgrounds? Unless you fly the area and scout the backgrounds prior to the shoot, you really don’t know. Then if you find one during a flight, getting back exactly to that same background to duplicate or improve it is another challenge. Again, so much to learn, so much to remember. I love it all!
Photos captured by D3x, 24-120VR / 70-200VR w/TC-17e on Lexar UDMA digital film