Disgustingly the RAAF did not posses one fighter in Australia out the outbreak of the Pacific War.
The P-40 was giving a good account of itself in China with the Flying Tigers as well as in the Middle East. The 49th Fighter Group launched aircraft in the defence of Darwin on 19th Feb. Our own version of "the few"...
The P-40 held its own once tactics were developed.
It is our "Spitfire"....[excuse the pun]