Curtiss P-40M Kittyhawk Mk.III FR870 in RAF GA-S livery, captured in flight. WWII fighter aircraft photo by Stuart H. Bourne.
© Stuart H Bourne / Quality Aviation Photos International
Curtiss P-40M Kittyhawk Mk.III FR870 photographed in flight wearing RAF camouflage and squadron code GA-S. This restored warbird, captured by Stuart H. Bourne, represents the iconic WWII fighter known for its shark mouth nose art and service across multiple Allied air forces.
Built as a P-40M-10-CU with USAAF serial 43-5802, this airframe was transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force as Kittyhawk III serial 840. After military service, it was used as an instructional airframe and later as a promotional display in the United States. The aircraft was eventually restored to flying condition and repainted in tribute to RAF service as FR870, complete with squadron code GA-S.
Now registered as G-KITT, the aircraft is operated by Peter Teichman in the United Kingdom. It regularly appears at heritage airshows and commemorative events, often painted in the markings of “Lulu Belle,” flown by 2nd Lt. Philip R. Adair of the 89th Fighter Squadron in the China-Burma-India Theater. The P-40M variant was known for its ruggedness, ground-attack capability, and service longevity across the RAF, RCAF, and other Commonwealth forces.
