Curtiss P-40 vs North American P-51 Mustang

The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk and North American P-51 Mustang are WWII American fighter warbirds — the P-40 the rugged early-war Allison fighter, the P-51 the higher-performance Merlin escort.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · re-checked on a rolling daily cycle

Curtiss P-40

For sale now: 2
Model years available: 1942–1943

North American P-51 Mustang

For sale now: 6
Model years available: 1944–2024

Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.

Safety Record

Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.

NTSB (1982–now)	Curtiss P-40	North American P-51 Mustang
All events	—	1
Serious	—	0
Fatal	—	0
Fatalities	—	0
% Fatal	—	0%

View full Curtiss P-40 NTSB record →View full North American P-51 Mustang NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs

Spec / Model	Curtiss P-40	North American P-51 Mustang
	Median $2,950,979	View 1 listings → Median $3,400,000
Price Range	$2,950,979	$503,200 – $3,500,000
Category	—	Warbirds
Model Specifications
Seats	1	1
Horsepower	1,150 HP	1,490 HP
Cruise Speed	300 kts (556 km/h)	315 kts (583 km/h)
Range	650 nm (1,204 km)	1,434 nm (2,656 km)
Service Ceiling	29,000 ft (8,839 m)	41,900 ft (12,771 m)
Max Gross Weight	—	12,100 lbs (5,489 kg)
Useful Load	1,000 lbs (454 kg)	3,500 lbs (1,588 kg)
Fuel Burn	60.0 GPH (227 L/h)	60.0 GPH (227 L/h)
Engines	1 x Piston	1 x Piston

Which Should You Buy: Curtiss P-40 or North American P-51 Mustang?

Bottom line: Choose the P-40 for a (relatively) more attainable, rugged WWII fighter with strong shark-mouth character; choose the P-51 for higher performance, range and the larger flying fleet/support. P-40 = attainable/rugged; P-51 = performance/fleet.

Pick the P-40 if…

Pick the P-51 Mustang if…

Budget matters — from $503,200 vs $2,950,979, you save ~$2,447,779.
Faster cruise — 315 kts vs 300 kts.
Longer range — 1434 nm vs 650 nm.

Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Curtiss P-40 or North American P-51 Mustang?

It depends on your mission and budget. The P-40 cruises at 300 kts with 650 nm range. The P-51 Mustang cruises at 315 kts with 1,434 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.

How do prices compare?

Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.

What's the difference between Curtiss P-40 and North American P-51 Mustang?

Cruise: 300 vs 315 kts. Range: 650 vs 1434 nm.

Which is cheaper to operate per hour?

Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.

Which has more seats and useful load?

P-40: 1 seats / 1,000 lb useful load. P-51 Mustang: 1 seats / 3,500 lb useful load. Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.

How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?

Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.

Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.

Prices re-checked on a rolling cycle — most within a few days · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data