USAAF
5th AF
8th FG
36th FS
Daniel Leahy 2004
Pilot Lt. Walter Harvey
Force
landed May
1, 1942
Wartime History
One of six P-39s that took off from Antill Plains near Townsville for Port Moresby. After refueling at Cooktown Airfield, they ran into a heavy
storm near Horn Island, where they were to refuel again. As four of the pilots were inexperienced in instrument flying, Lieutenant Charles Falletta in P-39F 41-6951 decided to lead the group towards the mainland to find a suitable place to land.
Lt. Faletta and his wingman, Lt. Harvey flying this Airacobra chose a landing spot near the Escape River on the Cape York Peninsula, near Weipa. Lt Harvey managed to land his aircraft with the wheels up. The other four Airacobras force landed on the nearby beach.
Falletta and Harvey made a two day trek to the nearest beach, where they were eventually rescued.
Recovery
Recovered from the crash site by members of the Cairns Aircraft Recovery Team (CART) / Ian Mullins in 1971.
Restoration
In December 2000, the aircraft was sold to Precision Aerospace. to complete the restoration.
References
Airacobra Advantage
by Rick Mitchell.
P-39
