Aircraft History
A batch of 18 Lend-Lease P-40Es were shipped from the US on the ship, Bantam, and earmarked for the Dutch East Indies Air Force (ML-KNIL). These aircraft were not part of the original order placed by the ML-KNIL. It is unknown if any ML-KNIL serials were assigned or applied.

On arrival at Australia in April 1942, this P-40 were diverted to the USAAF. Assigned to the 49th Fighter Group, 8th Fighter Squadron. It flew in defense of Darwin assigned to Lt. Lutton between October 1942 and July 1943, when he was transferred to the 475th Fighter Group.

Later assigned to Randall Keator, who also painted his name under the windscreen and carried squadron number 68. Nicknamed "The Spoddessape" (Spotted assed ape) on the left side, in reference to pilot Randall Keator's description of how fast he left the Philippines, 'like a spotted ass ape'. The right side of the aircraft had a pelican with a frog bombardier and crayfish firing a shotgun under the bird's wing and carrying a bomb in its feet.

Former Pilot: Keator
One pilot, from Louisiana born Randall Keator, assigned to the 24th Pursuit Group, 20th Pursuit Squadron based at Clark Field. On December 8, 1941 he shoot down the first Japanese aircraft over the Philippines, his only credited victory of WWII. Evacuated to Australia he was later assigned to the 49th FG and flew in the defense of Darwin, and then moved to Port Moresby. An avid hunter, he borrowed shotguns and rifles from his unit's armory to hunt pigs and ducks around Port Moresby, to supplement their poor rations with fresh meat. A display at the National D-Day Museum includes Keator's diary, Distinguished Flying Cross, photo and dog tags at the museum.

Former Pilot: Lutton
Another of its former pilots was Lt. Lowell C. Lutton prior to his transfer to the 475th FG.  He went MIA four days after its crash in P-38H 42-66821. Lt. Brownell was flying it when it crashed and he was killed

Mission HIstory
Took off from 3-Mile Drome near Port Moresby on a patrol over the Kokoda area. During the patrol, the engine stopped. Brownell attempted to make a deadstick landing, but the aircraft crashed behind Saga village, near Kokoda, resulting in the first fatality for the 49th Fighter Group in New Guinea.

Memorials
The remains of the pilot were recovered, identified, and temporarily buried in the Kokoda War Cemetery on November 7, 1942 and later Bomana Cemetery. Later, his remains were exhumed and repatriated and permanently buried in a private cemetery in New York.

Recovery
Recovered in November 2003 by Jason Cockayne and Robert Greinert / HARS from the crash site. Planned for use as basis or parts for a restoration.

References
Note, pilot's name spelled as 2nd Lt. Nelson B. Brownnell
Protect & Avenge page 87
Rust In Peace page 80, includes a story of a local villager who witnessed the crash. Present were tail broken off and wings in a crater.
Thanks to Ken Peters, Amanda Keator, Edward Rogers and John Douglas for additional information.

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Last Updated
November 5, 2009