Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk Mk. IIb, ex-RAF serial number AN311, was one of those transferred to the REAF in April 1943. It had previously been used by No. 2 Squadron of the South African Air Force, when it also carried the individual code letters TA-C. On 21 November 1942, when it was being flown by Lieutenant Eric Saville, this aeroplane was in collision with an Italian Macchi MC.200 Saetta, resulting in severe damage to its starboard wing. Lieutenant Saville landed safely and the P-40 was repaired before being allocated to the REAF. While in Egyptian service with No. 6 Squadron, the only visible change appears to have been the addition of Egyptian national markings and the removal of the identification letters TA-C. It is therefore still in RAF-style “sand and stone” desert camouflage with sky blue underneath. (Artwork by Peter Penev)