Took a huge number of aircraft photos during the last two weeks in January. Posted only seven photos from that photographic bonanza between January 24th and February 17th...so today I get to let loose a classic P-40C Tomahawk from WWII. This one is in the Paul Allen Flying Heritage Collection at Paine Field in Everett, Washington. Here it is painted in "Flying Tigers" colors...but read on...it really flew not in China but in the Soviet Union! While this fighter was manufactured in the United States, it never flew for American forces. It was purchased by the British and then given to the Soviet Union in September, 1941, under the Lend-Lease (armament-sharing) program. For nine months this airplane spent its combat career in the skies over the Karelian battle front in Russia, defending Murmansk against invading German forces. On September 27, 1942, the craft's oil tank was punctured by enemy fire. Its pilot managed to glide the aircraft to a belly-landing near Murmansk, where it was abandoned. It was recovered and restored in 1993. It is the world's only remaining P-40C in flying condition (haven't double checked that fact yet). Bill:) "Never Ending Job"