Pilot History
Bevlock was nickname "Hoot". He was later KIA in the crash of a Tiger Moth on September 10, 1942. He had earned the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star and Air Medal.

Aircraft History
This Airacobra was assigned to the 8th Fighter Group, 36th Fighter Squadron, no nickname or nose art. Officially condemned on October 31, 1944.

Flown from Garbutt Airfield near Townsville area via Cairns to Horn Island, then to New Guinea to 7-Mile Drome near Port Moresby on April 30, 1942, timed to arrive after noon, to avoid any Japanese air raid.

Mission History
Took off from 7-Mile Drome near Port Moresby at 13:00. One of eleven Airacobra led by Lt. Col Boyd D. "Buzz" Wagner on a strafing mission against Lae Airfield, the 8th Fighter Group's first combat mission. The AIracobras strafed the airfield at 14:37, hitting parked aircraft and seaplanes, then departed. A6M2 Zeros of the Tainan Kōkūtai scrambled, and attacked the Airacobras while they were near Salamaua.

Another Airacobra pilot, Louis Meng led Bevlock in a right turn when several A6M2 Zeros attacked attempting to break up their flight. They evaded the Japanese, but ended up heading north, Meng turned the both in the right direction, but flew into clouds over the Owen Stanley Mountains, and lost sight of Bevlock. Short on fuel and likely lost, this Airacobra force landed on the beach near Iokea.

Rescue
Making his way back to base, Bevlock reached Yule Island on May 1 and the RAAF Spotter Station radioed his safe arrival, He was transported via the Nusa back to Port Moresby, arriving in the afternoon on May 2.

Wreckage
It is possible portions of this aircraft were salvaged during October 1942 by a US Army salvage team.

Today, some wreckage remains on the beach including the Allison engine, drive shaft, 37mm cannon and bent propeller. The rest of the wreckage was scrapped or otherwise removed.

Justin Taylan visited on October 22, 2007:
"Only the engine, propeller shaft, nose landing gear leg, cannon, and propeller remain. According to locals, the rest of the wreckage was scrapped over the years. None had any recollection of the pilot or the story of this particular aircraft wreck, possibly a ferry flight or mechanical failure. Buried in the sand was the lower portion of the wing, heavily corroded and scrapped."

References
Attack & Conquer page 36, 46
Forty of the Fifth Profile #2 pages 7 - 12 (Salvage of Bevlock's P-39 is incorrect, actually Brown's P-39D 41-6982)
New Guinea Force Diary - May 1 & 2, 1942
Thanks to Edward Rogers for additional information

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Last Updated
March 18, 2010

P-39