i gather that the P-60 was over shadowed by the performance of the P-51, and if the Mustang was never built then the P-60 may have received more attention. The long range P-40 is also pure hypothetical, but it would probably end up resembling a P-40Q in some ways and fitted with wing tanks. Its actually hard to conceive with out thinking it would eventually turn out like a mustang.
What's sort of been over looked thus far is how the planes actually compared from a tactical, practical and combat perspective.
I seem to remember reading something about the actual time to altitude, something like 10,000ft, from engine start up that put the P-51 towards the back of the pack. Part of the advantages of the P-40 in an actual combat zone may have been its ability to get up and go with out a lengthy take off procedure. Why the P-51 took so long to get up in the air I'm not sure.
Any thoughts on that?
Bill