Happy Weekend!

Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk, and the story behind its tiger face.

Considered to be one of the most recognizable aircraft liveries in existence, many don’t know its true origin or why a WWII-era fighter plane would truly wear such a ‘mask.’ From the wiki:

Flying Tigers was the popular name of the 1st American Volunteer Group (AVG) of the Chinese Air Force in 1941-1942. Arguably, the group was a private military contractor, and for that reason the volunteers have sometimes been called mercenaries. The members of the Flying Tigers had lucrative contracts with the Chinese government with salaries ranging from $600 for a pilot to $750 for a squadron commander. These salaries were three times what they had been making in the U.S. forces. They were mostly former United States Army (USAAF), Navy (USN), and Marine Corps (USMC) pilots and ground crew, recruited under Presidential sanction and commanded by Claire Lee Chennault. The group consisted of three fighter squadrons with about 20 aircraft each. It trained in Burma before the American entry into World War II with the mission of defending China against Japanese forces.

The Tigers’ shark-faced fighters remain among the most recognizable of any individual combat aircraft of World War II, and they demonstrated innovative tactical victories when the news in the U.S. was filled with little more than stories of defeat at the hands of the Japanese forces.

The Tiger Sharks Group Image:

[Images via 1, 2]

Zandr, yer a lil’ bitch. :wink:

2011 Lamborghini LP570-4 Superleggera.

According to sources the new LP570-4 SL will make its world debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show with a weight reduction of nearly 70 Kg (154 lbs) matched with a 10 horsepower gain (570 HP) for an overall power to weight ratio increase of 2.35. The lighter, more powerful baby Lambo will carry the same six-speed gearbox as the standard LP560-4 and is expected to run to 60 in 3.5 seconds, about two-tenths quicker than the LP560-4’s 3.7 seconds.

I’m also told the LP570-4 Superleggera will be doused in your choice of 6 different colors matched with a white, red, and green side stripe (similar in shape to the previous SL) with “Superleggera” script in black. This graphic package will sit atop all new front and rear fascias featuring an extensive use of carbon fiber, as well as new side skirts and a LP670-4 SV-style rear wing also constructed of the black, carbon weave.

Look for the 2011 Lamborghini LP570-4 Superleggera to make its official arrival at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show this March.

Want more autoerotic meat and potatoes? Check out my Automotive tag.

Walter de’Silva’s Secret 1999 Bugatti Concept

Back in 1999, Hartmut Warkuss, then head of Volkswagen Design, met Walter de’Silva at the Geneva Show. At that time, Walter was head of design at Seat and working on the Seat Salsa Concept. Warkuss told De’Silva that Volkswagen was preparing the revival of the Bugatti brand and that “big boss” Ferdinand Piech was expecting some design proposals for a super sports car that was to become the Veyron. Hartmut Warkuss asked De’Silva to send in his take on the new Bugatti.

Read more HERE.

This looks to be a prototype for the Lancia Delta-based, Chrysler-badged concept everyone’s been talking about for the NAIAS - But is it really? [via]

SAAB Sale Cannot Be Concluded, Brand To Be Wound Down

GENERAL MOTORS PRESS RELEASE

2009-12-18

Detroit. General Motors announced today that the intended sale of Saab Automobile AB would not be concluded. After the withdrawal of Koenigsegg Group AB last month, GM had been in discussions with Spyker Cars about its interest in acquiring Saab. During the due diligence, certain issues arose that both parties believe could not be resolved. As a result, GM will start an orderly wind-down of Saab operations.

“Despite the best efforts of all involved, it has become very clear that the due diligence required to complete this complex transaction could not be executed in a reasonable time. In order to maintain operations, Saab needed a quick resolution,” said GM Europe President Nick Reilly. “We regret that we were not able to complete this transaction with Spyker Cars. We will work closely with the Saab organization to wind down the business in an orderly and responsible manner. This is not a bankruptcy or forced liquidation process. Consequently, we expect Saab to satisfy debts including supplier payments, and to wind down production and the distribution channel in an orderly manner while looking after our customers.”

Saab will continue to honor warranties, while providing service and spare parts to current Saab owners around the world.

As part of its efforts to become a leaner organization, GM began seeking a buyer for Saab’s operations in January. Last week, Saab Automobile AB announced that it had closed on the sale of certain Saab 9-3, current 9-5 and powertrain technology and tooling to Beijing Automotive Industry Holdings Co. Ltd. (BAIC). GM expects today’s announcement to have no impact on the earlier sale.

As the company continues to reinvent itself, GM has been faced with some very difficult but necessary business decisions. The focus will remain on the four core brands – Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC – and several regional brands, including Opel / Vauxhall in Europe. This will enable the company to devote more engineering and marketing resources to each brand and model.

[via]