AF File Image

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Super Car Tour

The stealth-black Air Force Challenger 'Vapor' features a biometric access to open the vertical doors, a custom stealth body kit with jet enhancements and a carbon fiber exterior trim. Other exterior components include one-off carbon fiber wheels, a custom stealth exhaust mode that allows the vehicle to run in complete silence or the headers can be opened facilitate the aggressive sound of the engine. The vehicle features a shaker hood, radar-absorbing paint, proximity sensors and a 360-degree camera with a quarter-mile range. The Vapor is one of the Air Force's newest mobile marketing assets and will be touring high schools and a variety of Air Force sponsored events as part of the 2009 Super Car Tour. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Scott Reed)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

P-40E, 'supercar' feature statics at open house

Published March 4, 2010

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- The P-40, developed from the P-36, was America's foremost fighter in service when World War II began.

P-40s engaged Japanese aircraft during the attack on Pearl Harbor and the invasion of the Philippines in December 1941. They also were flown in China early in 1942 by the famed Flying Tigers and in North Africa in 1943 by the first Army Air Forces all African-American unit, the 99th Fighter Squadron.

The P-40 served in numerous combat areas - the Aleutian Islands, Italy, the Middle East, the Far East, the Southwest Pacific and Russia.

Though often outclassed by its adversaries in speed, maneuverability and rate of climb, the P-40 earned a reputation in battle for extreme ruggedness. At the end of the P-40's brilliant career, more than 14,000 had been produced for service in the air forces of 28 nations, of which 2,320 were of the "E" series. The aircraft was also called the "Kittyhawk" and "Tomahawk" in England and Canada.

Air Force 'supercar' The Vapor

What happens when Air Force technology meets an everyday sports car? Built in only three months by professionals at Galpin Auto Sports and Airmen from several different technical career fields, the Air Force's two "supercars" are a Dodge Challenger and a Ford Mustang that are outfitted with cutting-edge technology. Dubbed "Vapor" and "X-1," respectively, they serve as recruiting tools that travel the country, appearing at high schools and numerous public events.

The Vapor, which will appear at Maxwell's Air Show, is equipped with a computer system, allowing for unmanned remote access. A custom, "stealth" exhaust mode renders the powerful engine nearly silent.

The car also boasts night and thermal vision, projected on a heads-up windshield display via a 360-degree surveillance camera. Other features include 20-inch, carbon fiber rims, a GPS transponder for tracking, dual steering and biometric access to vertical doors.

For more information on the Air Force Super Car Tour, visit www.airforce.com/supercar.