Aircraft History
Recieved by the US Army on June 24, 1942. Arrived in Australia about August 14, 1942. Assembled at Amberley Airfield and was assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron, and was flown by pilot McCoy, and crew cheif Dygas, with squadron letter Z on the nose. Afterwards, it was transfered to the 41st Fighter Squadron.

Mission History
Took off to intercept the last Japanese daylight raid agianst Port Moresby on April 12, 1943. Engaged a Zero, which Culton claimed. Another Zero opened fire from his six o'clock, and pieces of 20mm shrapnel exploded off the engine block and lodged in Culton's neck. He bailed out and landed near Haima village, near 17 Mile Airdrome. His P-39 crashed about two kilometers NW of the village. At Haima, he was given a cup of tea, before he was returned to his squadron later that afternoon in a jeep sent to find him.

Richard Culton recalls:
"12 April 1943 was my 70th combat mission. As I remember we only had 15 aircraft take off that day, including 2 Australian BoFighters (sic), 3 P-38, 7 P-39, 2 B-25 and 1 B-26 to attack the Japanese aircraft. I never did find out how many they had, also I never found out of any other of our aircraft than those I have listed. When I got into the hospital much of what happened got very blurry. I spent 1,004 days in 18 different hospitals before finally being returned to general military duty on flying status."

Recovery
The tail and propeller were recovered in 1980 by Bruce Hoy then curator of the PNG Museum, and added to its collection.

Removal
The tail was part of the PNG museum's collection until sometime in late 2000, when it was removed by Robert Greinert to Australia.

Robert Greinert claims it will be used in his 'P-39 project' yet, no action has been taken to date Its future unknown: if it will be returned to the museum or instead sold or donated to another organization by Greinert.

References
41st FS History
RAAF Schedule incorectly lists this aircraft as a P-47D

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
October 1, 2009

P-39

April 12, 1943 Mission

Richard Culton