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| USAAF 5th AF 71st TRG 82nd TRS |
Aircraft History Built by Bell in Buffalo, NY. On April 28, 1943 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-39N-5-BE Airacobra serial number 42-19027. Disassembled and shipped overseas and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group (71st TRG), 82nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (82nd TRS). Assigned to pilot Lyndall Tate. Nicknamed "Little Sir Echo" on the left side of the nose and "Small Fry" on the right side of the nose. This aircraft had two kill markings on right side of fuselage possibly two Ki-43 Oscars Tate claimed in November 1943. During June 1943 until July 16, 1944 operated from New Guinea until abandoned at Tadji Airfield. Wreckage Until 1974, this Airacobra remained in situ at Tadji Airfield. During 1974 recovered by Charles Darby and Monty Armstrong as part of a salvage operation funded by David Tallichet / Yesterday's Air Force (MARC). Afterwards, moved to the north coast and loaded onto a barge and shipped to Lae then overseas. Storage This Airacobra was shipped across the Pacific to the United States and placed into storage by Yesterday's Air Force (YAF) at Chino Airport. In 1987, purchased by Fred Johnson of the Museum Aeronattica in Tacoma WA, who planed to restore it to flying condition and did external restoration for static display. Repainted in the correct wartime markings "Little Sir Echo" on the left side of the nose and "Small Fry" on the right side of the nose with the correct serial number 42-19027 stenciled below the cockpit. Display During early 2002, sold to Planes of Fame Museum and moved back to Chino Airport. Since May 2002, this Airacobra is displayed at Planes of Fame Museum. In the early 2000s displayed outdoors near the museum buildings and later moved inside the museum hanger. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-39N-5-BE Airacobra 42-19027 "19027 abandoned at Tadji, Papua New Guinea in 1945. Recoverd by Yesterdays Air Force in 1974. To Frederick A. Johnson/Museum Aeronautica of Tacoma, Washington 1987-1990 for restoration. Trucked to Tacoma from Chino in 1987. Noted at Planes of Fame, Cal Aero Field, Chino, CA Jan 13, 2002, displayed as "Small Fry/Little Sir Echo". USAF Historical Study No. 85 USAF Credits For The Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II does not include any credited aerial victory claims for Lyndall Tate. Airacobra Advantage (1992) by Rick Mitchell Warbird Resource Group (WRG) Warbird Registery - P-39 Airacobra 42-19027 (photos) Contribute
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