December 7th, a day that will live in infamy!

Late in November of 2006, Ken Taylor passed died, at the age of 86. Mr. Taylor was one of two Army Pilots able to get airborne in Curtis P-40 Warhawks, at Pearl Harbor, on the morning of December 7th. Mr. Taylor was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart, for his heroic actions during the attack. Mr. Taylor, shot down 2 two Japanese Planes, and his Wingman (Mr. George Welch), shot down 4 Japanese Planes.

Mr Ken Taylor ended his military career, in the mid 1960's

Mr. Taylor and Mr. Welch, were the only pilots to get planes airborne, during the attack on Pearl Harbor. A were at the disadvantage, when facing the Japanese Zero Fighter, which was lighter and more maneuverable than the P-40 Warhawk.


Curtis P-40 Warhawk with marking made famous by the "Fly Tigers Squadron" in China prior to December 7th.

The P-40 was heavier than the Zero, and could not dogfight with the Zeros. The only way that P-40 pilots could shootdown a Zero, was either by diving on the Zero, or shooting at the Zero headon. The P-40 had heavy armor on the front of the airplane to protect the engine and pilot compartment.

Specifications: (P-40):
Engine: 1360hp Allison V-1710-81 inline piston engine
Weight: Empty 6,000 lbs., Max Takeoff 11,400 lbs
Wing Span: 37ft. 4in.
Length: 33ft. 4in.
Height: 12ft. 4in.
Performance: Maximum Speed at 10,000ft: 378mph
Ceiling: 38,000ft
Range: 840 miles (with no external tanks)
Armament: Six 12.7mm (0.5-inch) wing-mounted machine guns. Up to 1,500lbs of bombs on three wing hard-points
Number Built: Approximately 15,000
Number Still Airworthy: 19