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| USAAF 7th AF 18th PG 19th PS  USAAC c1941  The Fighter Collection 2007 |
Pilot 1st Lt Kenneth W. Sprankle, O-22823 18th PG, 6th PS (KIA) Cloe, PA Crashed January 24, 1942 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York in early 1941. Constructor Number 16073. During March 1941 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) as P-40B Warhawk serial number 41-13297. Wartime History In April 1941, assigned to the 7th Air Force (7th AF), 18th Pursuit Group (18th PG), 19th Pursuit Squadron based at Wheeler Field on Oahu. No known nickname or nose art. On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). During October 1941, this P-40 made a wheels up landing at Wheeler Field. Afterwards, transported to a hanger for repairs. On December 7, 1941 during the Japanese attack on Oahu, this plane was undamaged. Afterward, the force landing repairs were completed and returned to flying status. Mission History On January 24, 1942 took off from Wheeler Field piloted by 1Lt Kenneth W. Sprankle on a patrol mission over Oahu. Over the Koolau Range, this P-40 spun into the ground, killing the pilot in the crash. When lost, this aircraft had only 56 hours of flight time. Memorials Sprankle is buried at the Honolulu National Cemetery (Punchbowl) at plot M, grave 289. Wreckage Remained in situ until 1985. During 1985, the wreckage was rediscovered and parts were recovered. During 1989 another salvage operation recovered the remainder of the wreckage. Restoration Restored by the Curtiss Wright Historical Association / Project Tomahawk, using parts from 39-285, 39-287. The fuselage was restored by 2001. Purchased by the The Fighter Collection in Duxford, England during 2003 and registered as G-CDWH. Additional restoration was completed by Planes of Fame / The Fighter Rebuilders. Registration G-CDWH canceled Jan 2, 2007 and registered in the United States as N80FR temporarily for test flights, completed on April 17, 2007. Painted in U.S. Army markings with fuselage code 284. During July 2007 arrived at The Fighter Collection and registered again as G-CDWH. During December 2013, purchased for "several million dollars" by an anonymous sponsor for Collings Foundation / Robert Collings. This P-40 was disassembled and shipped from the United Kingdom to the United States. As of late August 2014, this P-40 arrived at American Aero Services for reassembly and flight testing. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-40B Warhawk 41-13297 "13297 (MSN 16073) with 73rd PS, 18th PG was at Wheeler Field and survived Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Dec 7, 1941 as it was in maintenance hangar undergoing repair. Plane was wrecked Jan 24, 1942 while on patrol over Koolau Range, Oahu when it spun in and killed the pilot. Wreck recovered between 1985 and 1989. Restored by Curtiss Wright Historical Association, using parts from 39-285, 39-287. Sold to The Fighter Collection, Duxford, England and registered as G-CDWH and currently under rebuild at Chino, CA. Registration G-CDWH canceled Jan 2, 2007 as reregistered in USA, became N80FR (presumably just for test flights after rebuilding) and registration G-CDWH restored Apr 17, 2007. Delivered to Duxford Jul 2007, painted in 1941 "Pearl Harbor" color scheme with code 284. Registration G-CDWH canceled Dec 13, 2013 and current as N284CF" FindAGrave - 1Lt Kenneth Wayne Sprankle (grave photo) Flight Journal June 2007 Warbird Registry - Warhawk/41-13297 FAA N-Number Inquiry N80FR The Fighter Collection Curtiss P-40B Warhawk Bu No 41-13297 (G-CDWH) AP "Rare warplane that survived Pearl Harbor attack returning to US" December 7, 2013 Collins Foundation P-40B Tomahawk Bu 41-13297 Warbirds News "Unique P-40B Arrives At American Aero Services" August 24, 2014 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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