Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 38 : Tomahawk and Kittyhawk Aces of the RAF and Commonwealth

Deemed unsuitable for the Channel Front, lend-lease Tomahawks and Kittyhawks instead became the staple fighter of the Desert Air Force in 1941-42, flying with RAF, South African and Australian squadrons in North Africa and the Middle East. Although usually outclassed by the Bf 109, a number of pilots enjoyed some success during the desert campaign - men like Caldwell, Gibbes, Edwards and Drake, all of whom accrued double figure scores with the type. In the Far East, Australian and New Zealand pilots also saw much action against the Japanese in 1942/43, flying over the jungles of New Guinea in defence of the Australian mainland. Finally, the exploits of the humble Mohawk in the CBI are also detailed for the first time. In total, some 36 aces achieved five or more kills with the Tomahawk/Kittyhawk, whilst a further 84 pilots who scored kills on other types also enjoyed success with the durable Curtiss fighter. Text by Andrew Thomas with illustrations by Andrew Thomas.