SECTION II

PILOT OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
I On Entering Pilots Compartment
a. Check for All Flights.

(1) Ignition switch "OFF." (See figure 5.)

(2) Gun switch "OFF." (See figure 5.)

(3) Landing gear control handle in "NEUTRAL." (See figure 7.)

(4) Flap control handle "NEUTRAL." (See figure 7.)

(5) Parking brakes "ON." (See figure 6.)

(6) Check for free movement of control stick and rudder. (See figure 5.)

(7) Check safety belt and shoulder harness. Shoulder harness should be used on all flights.

(8) Turn on master battery switch. (See figure 5.)

(9) Turn fuel selector valve to "FUSE." Never turn the valve pointer through the "BELLY" position when the belly tank is not installed. (See figure 5.)

(10) Turn miscellaneous circuit breaker switches "ON."

(11) Turn generator line switch "ON." (See figure 5.)

(12) Propeller circuit breaker switch "ON." (See figure 5.)

(13) Propeller selector switch in "AUTO." (See figure 5.)

(14) Throttle 1/3 open.

(15) Mixture control in "IDLE CUT-OFF."

(16) Carburetor heat control In "COLD." (See figure 6.)

(17) Test coolant warning light.

(18) Check tanks for fuel.
b. Special Check For Night Flight

(1) Turn master battery switch "ON." (See figure 5.)

(2) Test operate cockpit spotlights.

(3) Test operate compass light brilliancy by turning rheostat. (See figure 5.)

(4) Test operate wing tank fuel gage lights. (See figure 5.)

(5) Test operate running lights. (See figure 5.)

(6) Test operate landing lights. (See figure 5.)

(7) Test operate gun sight light. (See figure 5.)

(8) Test operate signal lights. To operate, throw master switch "ON." (See figure 10.) Throw the three individual light switches "ON." Test signaling device with key on top of control box.

(9) Check for spare bulbs for spotlights and fuel warning lights stowed left side of cockpit below the longeron forward of station No. 4 bulkhead. (See figure 8.)
2. Starting Engine
a
 Cold Engine. - Ignition switches "OFF" pull prop through about three revolutions.
b

To reduce the possibility of engines cutting-out due to insufficient fuel inlet pressures, the relief valve on all V- 1710 series engines will be readjusted to provide a carburetor fuel Inlet pressure of 17 +/- 1 psi, and the relief valve on the boost fuel pump be set to deliver I psi under the engine-driven fuel pump pressure.
c
 "ENERGIZE" the starter at least 15 seconds. (See figure 5.) Use battery cart or energizer if possible
d

Prime a "COLD" engine three strokes - "WARM" engine one stroke. (See figure 5.)
e

Turn ignition switch to "BOTH" position. (See figure 5.)
f

Engage the starter. When engine begins to fire move mixture control to "AUTOMATIC RICH." (See figure 8.)
g
Set throttle to maintain an engine speed between 500 and 1000 rpm until oil pressure begins to come up

NOTE: USE CARBURETOR AIR FILTER WHEN NECESSARY.

WARNING: Stop engine if the oil pressure does not register within 15 seconds after starting.
CAUTION: If engine does not fire, return mixture control to "IDLE CUT-OFF" immediately. Never run boost pump with engine dead and mixture control out of "IDLE CUTOFF."
3 Engine Warm-up.
a
 Warm up engine between 800 and 1000 rpm until oil maintains at least 50 pounds pressure, and the temperature increases to at least 200 C (680 F) for 120 (AN-1120) oil, 100 C (500 F) for 98 (AN-1100) oil, or 00 C (320 F) for grade 77 oil.
b
 Set coolant radiator shutters and cowl shutters as Temperature requires. (See figure 10.)
c
 Set carburetor heat control as required to prevent ice. (See figure 6.)
CAUTION Do not attempt take-off with the carburetor heat control "ON."
4

Engine and Accessories Ground Test.
a
 After warm-up has been completed, set propeller selector switch (figure 5) to "MANUAL" and advance throttle to 2200 rpm. (See figure 8.)
1
 Test ignition on each magneto. Normal drop should not exceed 80 rpm.
2
 Test propeller increase and decrease control. Return propeller selector switch to "AUTOMATIC."
3
 Test propeller automatic control by setting throttle to 2200 rpm, pull back propeller control and observe drop in rpm. Return propeller control to take-off position.
4
 Check fuel, oil pressure. (See figure 6.)
5
 Check oil and coolant temperatures. (See figure 6.)
6
 Check ammeter for charging rate. (See figure 5.)
5

Taxiing Instructions

The view ahead is poor when taxiing; It is therefore necessary to keep swinging the airplane from side to side for visibility directly ahead.
CAUTION: Avoid taxiing through mud holes and tall grass since the propeller can easily be damaged by small stones or foreign material. DO NOT TAXI WITH FLAPS EXTENDED.
6 Take-off.
a
 Preflight Check
1
 Set rudder trim tab control at "TAKE-OFF" mark. (See figure 7.)
2
 Set elevator trim tab control at "TAKE-OFF." (See figure 7.)
3
 Set left aileron trim tab flush with the trailing edge of the aileron. Operate switch. (See figure 7.)
4
 Mixture control, "AUTO-RICH." (See figure 8.)
5
 Propeller pitch at 3000 rpm. (See figure 8.)
6
 Fuel selector valve to "RES" (figure 8), and check fuel pressure. (See figure 6.)
7
 Set flaps as required but never over one half way down.
CAUTION: When using flap control handle be sure that the landing gear control is not moved by mistake.
8
 Set radiator shutters to "WIDE OPEN." (See figure 10.)
9
 See that controls are FREE.
10
 Refer to section III for all flight operating data.
b
 Raise landing gear and tail wheel as soon as practical after leaving ground.
NOTE: Before raising landing gear apply the brakes to stop the wheels from spinning.
c
 War Emergency Operation.
1
 Push throttle through stop to obtain 60 inches Hg for the P-40K series airplanes and 57 inches Hg for the P-40M series. Prop set at 3000 rpm.
NOTE: War emergency power permitted for five minutes. Should be used only in pre combat or combat operations.
7 Engine Failure During Take-off 
a
 Mixture control to "IDLE CUT-OFF."
b
 Ignition switch "OFF"
c
 Belly tank - Pull release lever immediately
d
 Put nose of airplane well down, and maintain a gliding speed of approximately 110 mph STRAIGHT AHEAD
e
 Land with canopy open
CAUTION Land airplane on its belly. Do not attempt to lower the landing gear
8 Climb

If flaps are used for take-off, do not raise them below 500 feet altitude.
9 Flight Operarions

Use of the FLIGHT OPERATION INSTRUCTION CHARTS during flight. These charts are located in section III.
10 General Flying Characteristics
a
 Stability. - With normal loads the airplane is started; with rear tank full and full ammunition load, airplane is slightly unstable. For this reason, the rear tank should always be run out prior to combat, dives, or violent maneuvers.
b
 Trim
Landing gear DOWN - nose-heavy until retrimmed

Flaps DOWN - no appreciable change

During dive - strong yaw to right

During climb - strong yaw to left
c
 Order of Fuel Tank Use.
Without Belly Tank
With Belly Tank

(1) Fuselage tank

(1) Fuselage for startting and take -off

(2) Rear wing tank (main)

(2) Belly tank

(3) Front wing tank (RE S)

(3) Fuselage tank

(4) Rear wing tank

(5) Front wing tank

For long range cruising, check Curtiss Handbook PILOT'S CRUISING INSTRUCTIONS for P-40Kseries. See Appendix. Pilot's Operating Instructions.
d
 Belly tank P-40K series and P-40M series
1
 The fuel selector valve should be set at "BELLY" as soon as practicable after take-off.
2
 If the belly tank is dropped during flight, a slight tail heaviness will be observed.
11 Engine Failure During Flight.
a
 Drop nose of airplane sufficiently to maintain a glide of approximately 120 mph indicated air speed.
b
 Ignition switch "OFF."
c
 If airplane is equipped with belly tank, pull release lever immediately.
d
 Fuel selector valve "OFF."
e
 Manually lower flaps.
f
 Master battery switch "OFF."
g
 If a suitable emergency field is available, the landing gear may be lowered. If not, keep landing gear UP and land airplane on its belly
12 Stalls
Stalling Spped

Flaps and landing gear DOWN

82 -mph IAS

Flaps and landing gear UP

92 -mph IAS
13 Spins

Intentional spinning is prohibited; however, if a spin develops, throttle back and apply opposite rudder. At normal loading and center of gravity positions these will be effective within two turns. The spin itself is extremely violent.
WARNING. It has been found that it is possible to cause locking of the rudder in the full left position on the airplane if the airplane is skidded with almost full left rudder at fairly low speed and power is then suddenly applied. This causes air loading on the rudder to be reversed and the more the power is applied the more the left rudder tends to remain locked in the left position. This condition is believed to have caused fatal spins. The throttle should be cut immediately if the airplane is inadvertently stalled or spun. When power is reduced the airplane will respond to normal recovery control.
NOTE; This condition has not been reported on P-40 airplanes with extended fuselages
14 Acrobatics

NOTE : Cage flight indicator before doing acrobatics.
a
 Normal acrobatics permitted.
b
 All acrobatics prohibited with belly tank or bomb installed
WARNING: Care must be taken to see that ample height is left for recovery from any maneuver, as acceleration during the dive is rapid, and at high speeds the initial pullout is inclined to be heavy. The elevator trim tab is very sensitive and should noted employed to assist in a pull out unless absolutely necessary.
15 Diving
a

Speed Limitation. -Do not exceed a diving speed of 485 mph indicated air speed
b
 Stability . - Aileron elevator and rudder loads are heavy at high diving speeds. Strong yaw to the right and right wing heaviness require use of trim tabs to counteract turning and rolling forces.
c
 Power-off Dives. - To decrease the possibility of the engine malfunctioning and missing considerably, upon opening the throttle after pullout from POWER OFF DIVES, the following precaution will be rigidly observed
"DO NOT CLOSE THE THROTTLE TO ALLOW A MANIFOLD PRESSURE OF LESS THAN 20 INCHES HG DURING DIVE."
16 Emergency Exit
a

In Flight. - Pull release handle at top forward frame of the cockpit and the entire canopy will open
b
 Turn-over on the Ground. - Remove parachute harness, pull the emergency release handle and push open the emergency exit panel in the left or right side of the canopy. (This panel may be opened from the outside by operating the handle located on the lower rear left cabin frame.)
17 Approach, Landing, and Cross-Wind Landing
a
 Approach
1
 Set-gun selector switch "OFF." (See figure 5)
2
 Set mixture control to "AUTO-RICH." (See figure 8.)
3
 Set propeller governor control to 2600 rpm and slowly close throttle to about 18 inches Hg manifold pressure.
4
 Turn fuel selector valve to a full main tank. (See figure 8.)
5
 Close radiator shutter as necessary. (See figure 10.)
7
 Drop the landing gear when the IAS is at or below 175 mph.
8
 Flaps must not be lowered at over 150 mph IAS.
b
 Emergency - 0peration of Landing Gear. - If the hydraulic switch at the base of control stick grip or the auxiliary hand pump fail to put the gear down, pump it down with the emergency hydraulic pump. (See figure 10.
NOTE: The tail wheel will not lower with the operation of the emergency hand pump. LAND TAIL HIGH. This emergency pump is not installed on airplanes AF42-10265 and up.
c
 Emergency Operation of Flaps. - If the hydraulic switch on the flight control stick fails to extend the flaps, manually. pump it down with the emergency hydraulic pump. (See figure 10.)
d
 Take note of any emergency lowering instructions in cockpit.
e
 Cross-Wind Landing - Avoid cross-wind landings whenever practicable. If absolutely unavoidable land slightly wheels first and keep airplane headed down runway.
f
 Landing. - At conclusion of landing run.
1
 Open radiator shutters
2
 Raise the flaps.
g
 Emergency Take -off if Landing is not Completed
1
 Open throttle to "STOP," and after the propeller rpm has stabilized, increase rpm to 3000.
2
 Do not retract flaps until above 500 feet altitude.
18 Stopping Engine
a
 Apply toe brakes and set parking brake lever
b
 Hold flight control stick back and run engine up to about 18 inches Hg for 5 seconds.
c
 When the outside temperature is below 00 C (325 F), dilute the oil system before stopping engine. To dilute, run engine at about 1000 rpm and hold dilution valve open for at least 4 minutes. Do not try to dilute until oil temperature is below 600 C (1400 F).
d
 Close throttle and move mixture control to "IDLE CUT-OFF."
e
 When propeller stops rotating, turn ignition switch "OFF."
19 Before Leaving Pilot's Compartament
a
 Fuel selector valve "OFF."
b
 All cockpit light switches, pitot heater switch, fuel gague light switches, etc., "OFF."
c
 Master battery switch "OFF."
d
 Cage flight indicator
e
 Make out Form 1.
f
 If windy, lock flight controls to prevent damage to the control surfaces
20 Air Speed Correction Table
Indicated Air Speed (MPH)
Calibrated Air Speed (MPH)
275
284.5
250
257.5
225
231
200
203
175
177
150
152
Above data obtained with Curtiss P-40E. Approximately the same for all model P-40 airplanes
21 Maneuvers Prohibited
a
 Spins.
b
 Outside loops
c
 Inverted flight
d
 Snap roll in excess of 140 mph.
e
 Slow roll in excess of 285 mph.