Pilot  2nd Lt. Christ J Props, O-727539 (KIA)
Crashed  April 27, 1943

Aircraft History
This aircraft was flown by 49th FG C.O. Captain Ray Melikian. A diagonal blue strip was painted on the fuselage near the tail. The tail number of 30 was visible, with 5 visible underneath it. A nude varga-style girl was painted on the nose

Above the US Army serial number stencil was painted 'Capt. R. Meikian' with five bomb markings and three Japanese flag kill markings. The three victory flags represent claims Melikian made on July 30, 1942, August 23, 1942 and March 5, 1943.

Mission History
While flying over the Popondetta area, this P-40 fell out of the formation and went into a spin at 18,000'. There was no smoke, no bail out and no apparent attempt to regain control. Crashed east of the village of Hamburata, near the Ambogo River.

Recovery of Remains
In September 1946, incomplete skeletal remains were recovered from the wreckage of the P-40 in the middle of a densely concealed swamp.

Rediscovered in late March 1965 by a district officer. Visited in mid-July by RAAF Search Team S/L Keith M. Rundell.  More remains were discovered laid out on the wing.  Evidence at the time suggested that parts, instruments have been salvaged prior to the visit, probably by locals, who also laid the remains out as is their custom. The remains were removed for delivery to American authorities.

Wreckage
Wreckage included the engine, wings and wreckage of the fuselage. Charles Darby photographed this tail in the late 1970's and published it in his book Pacific Aircraft Wrecks. Later, pieces of the cockpit were cut out and recovered. In the late 1980's the crash site was bulldozed during the planting of oil palm in the area.

John Douglas visited the site in 1997:
"The engine and both wings were there: one wing was ok, the other shattered, and the intact tail. Could see sections of the cockpit had been removed, the pilot's name, etc.  The cockpit section was completely disintegrated."

Recovery
Sometime around 2000 this aircraft was recovered by Robert Greinert / and exported to Australia.

Display
The fuselage section was 'donated' to the PIMA Aviation Museum in 2002, where it is stored, not on public display.

The left hand side of the cockpit (with five bomb markings and three kill markings, and the name "Capt. R. Melikian') with the throttle quadrant was donated to the Charters Towers Museum, likely by Keith M. Rundell.

Brett Williams adds:
"This fuselage piece of P-40K 42-45981 in Charters Towers Museum. Colors as follows: Capt. R. Melikian (light bright silver with thin border line in black, height 35mm, length 425mm. Victory flags: meat bal 25mm red, background medium to dark silver solid semi-gloss: height 50mm, length 75mm, total length 255mm. Bombs: medium silver (semi-gloss) red outline, height 65mm.

Factory data reads:
US Army P-40K
Air Corps Serial No. AC 42-45981
Crew Weight 180 lbs
Height of letters 18mm, total height: 75mm, total length: 420mm
Note: 'K' and 'AC 42-45981' have been painted by hand, the rest was painted using a stencil.

References
Pacific Aircraft Wrecks page 44 (middle, right)
49th FG History, Frame 477
Thanks to John Douglas, Keith Hopper, PIMA Aviation Museum for additional information.

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