Curtiss P-40B Warhawk USAAC 15th PG, 47th PS, White 316, Ken Taylor, Haleiwa Field, Pearl Harbor, HI, December 7th 1941 /

Forces of Valor 1:72 812060D

On December 7, 1941, at 7:48 a.m. Hawaii time, the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor was preemptively attacked by the Empire of Japan to prevent the U.S. Pacific Fleet from interfering with planned Japanese military actions in Southeast Asia. The attack was carried out by 353 fighters, bombers and torpedo boats, launched in two waves from a task force of six aircraft carriers (Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, Hiryu, Shokaku and Zuikaku) northwest of Hawaii. The damage inflicted was considerable. The US Navy's eight battleships were damaged, four of which were sunk, in addition to damaging or sinking three cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship and a mine anchor. 188 American aircraft were destroyed; 2,402 Americans were killed and 1,282 wounded. Japanese losses were light: 29 aircraft and five medium-sized submarines lost, 65 servicemen killed or wounded. One Japanese sailor was captured. The attack deeply shocked the American people and led directly to the United States' entry into the Second World War in the Pacific and European theaters. The following day (December 8), the United States declared war on Japan. There are many historical precedents for unannounced military action by Japan. However, the absence of a formal warning, particularly while negotiations were apparently still underway, led President Franklin D. Roosevelt to proclaim December 7, 1941 "a date which will live in infamy".

Curtiss P-40B Warhawk

Designed to meet the USAAC's demand for a pursuit aircraft, the P-40 Warhawk flew for the first time on October 14, 1938. The aircraft was rugged, virtually trouble-free and underwent constant improvements in weapons, armor and engines. The P-40 served in many combat zones, often outclassing its opponents in terms of speed, maneuverability and rate of climb, and earning a reputation for extreme ruggedness. Its solid construction, high firepower and dive capability enable it to rival enemy fighters, and it is a formidable ground attack aircraft. P-40s were also flown by the famous Flying Tigers against the Japanese in China.

"Forces of Valor" 1/72 Models features:

• Detailed cockpit
• Historically accurate printed markings
• Realistic panel lines and antennas
• Opening rear loading ramp
• Spinning main and tail rotor blades
• Display stand