When the United States entered WWII (December 1941) the P-40 was a front line fighter for the Army Air Corps. It was not an outstanding performer and was inferior to some enemy fighters. However, the P-40 was rugged and reliable and was used in all theaters throughout the war for a variety of purposes. The airplane is best known for its operation with General Claire Chennault’s "Flying Tigers." The museum’s P-40 served with the "23rd Fighter Group" in China. Close to 15,000 were built for service in WWII. The greatest proportion of these went to allied nations under "lend-lease" agreements.