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Pilot 1st Lt. John Dave "Big John" Landers (survived) Rexroat, OK Crashed December 26, 1942 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York. Model H87-A4. Constructors Number 19183. Originally built for a lend-lease contract for the Royal Air Force (RAF) with serial number ET488. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-40E-1 Warhawk serial number 41-25164. When completed, disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia intended for the Netherlands East Indies Air Force (NIEAF) and reassembled. On April 26, 1942 assigned to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as P-40E-1 Kittyhawk serial number A29-92 but the serial number was cancelled two days and instead returned to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 49th Fighter Group (49th FG), 9th Fighter Squadron (9th FS) "The Flying Knights" as one of the original aircraft assigned to the squadron. Assigned to Captain Ben S. Irvin "Bitchin' Ben", Commanding Officer (C. O.) 9th Fighter Squadron (9th FS). Assigned squadron number 75 on the left and right sides of the nose and tail painted in white. Nicknamed "The Rebel" in white block letters on the nose. On the left side of the cockpit below the canopy was "Pilot Capt. Irving" and "Crew Chief [name unknown]" painted in white block letters. The fuselage had a large eagle motif forward of the U.S. star marking. During July to August 1942, this P-40 operated from Livingstone Airfield (34 Mile) near Darwin. Mission History On December 26, 1942 took off from Port Moresby piloted by 1st Lt. John D. Landers as one of twelve P-40s leading "White Flight" on a patrol mission over Dobodura. As the formation arrived at an alttude of 14,000', the Dobodura air controller urgently called for fighter cover because "Zekes" [sic Ki-43-I Oscars from the 11th Hiko Sentai] were approaching Dobodura Airfield were several RAAF Hudsons had just landed. Landers ordered "White Flight" to release their drop tanks and to dive down and intercepted six Ki-43-I Oscars but one caught him from astern almost immediately hitting him with an accurate burst of 7.7mm machine gun fire causing him to break left and downward for the safety of lower altitude south of Dobodura. Suddenly, another Ki-43 Oscar hit him from the tail again. Damaged, Landers stepped out of the cockpit onto the right wing and bailed out at approximately 1,000' landing in dense jungle. Fate of the Pilot After three days of trying to find a path, Landers began following a stream that lead him to a small native village. A tribal elder gave him food and shelter, and next day, organized a party to escort him along the Kokoda Trail to Pongani Airfield. On December 31, 1942 flown aboard an A-24 Dive Bomber back to Port Moresby and returned to duty. After his Pacific service, Landers was assigned to the 8th Air Force, 357th Fighter Group and 78th Fighter Group in England. During the middle of 1944, he became the 38th Fighter Squadron Commanding Officer (C. O.) and attained the rank of Colonel by the end of the war. In total, he claimed 16 victories: 7 in the Pacific and 9 in Europe. Postwar, he was in the construction management and moved to Granbury, Texas in 1979. Memorials Landers passed away September 12, 1989 at the age of 69 after complications from surgery. He was buried September 15, 1989 at Greenwood Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Fort Worth, TX. Wreckage This P-40 remains in the jungle undisturbed at approximately Lat 9.05S Long 148.34 E. References Note, afterwards P-40E-1 Warhawk 41-25166 later became RAAF P-40E Kittyhawk serial number A29-92. USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-40E-1 Warhawk 41-25164 "25164 (MSN 19183, ET488) was to have gone to Netherlands East Indies AF, but after arrival in Australia diverted to RAAF as A29-92 Apr 26, 1942. Returned to USAAF after only two days. To 49th PG. Shot down by enemy fighters over New Guinea Dec 26, 1942." American Aces in Great Fighters Battles of World War II "Chase Over New Guinea” includes John D. Lander's account of his shoot down on December 26, 1942 plus his escape and evasion. The account incorrectly states this P-40 was nicknamed "Big Doll". PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-40 Kittyhawk piloted by Landers Hudson Versus The First New Guinea Oscars by Michael Claringbould Hood County Texas Genealogical Society Biography of Colonel John Dave Landers by by Virginia Hale AWM Kittyhawks, Darwin (F01778) playback time: 0:11-0:20 pilot and fuselage pegasus and 2:38-3:15 engine start and taxi for take off, 6:00-6:07 aerial view of line abreast formation, this aircraft passing camera, 6:10-6:14 closeup view of this aircraft passing camera 49th Fighter Group Aces of the Pacific page 12 (photo), 70 (artwork) Ki-43 'Oscar' Aces of World War 2 (2009) pages 73 FindAGrave - John D Landers (photo, grave photo) Thanks to Edward Rogers for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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