Aircraft History
Built by Bell in Buffalo, New York. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as a P-39N serial number unknown. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, 39th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. No known nose art or nickname.

Mission History
On January 23, 1944 took off piloted by 2nd Lt. Gerald R. McAlarney on a combat mission over Uligan Harbor. At 8:45am, while strafing a Japanese barge, McAlarney turned to the right and his wingtip struck a tree causing his aircraft to cartwheel and crash into Uligan Harbor nose first.

Memorials
McAlarney was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.

References
PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-39 Airacobra piloted by McAlarney

Last Updated
February 18, 2020