|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF 5th AF 49th FG 9th FS |
Pilot Lt Floyd Finberg, O-427711 (survived) Duluth, MN Ditched November 17, 1942 Pilot History Finberg served with 9th Pursuit Squadron for six months at Darwin, then was transferred to Port Moresby. He earned an Air Medal for 25 combat missions, Distinguished Flying Cross for flying 75 missions and Oak Leaf Cluster for shooting down a Zero on March 28, 1943. During July 1943 returned home to Duluth. Promoted to the rank of Captain and flew a second tour of duty with the 14th Air Force (14th AF), 23rd Fighter Group and 74th Fighter Squadron. He claimed one plane shot down on December 27, 1944. Aircraft History Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York as model H87-A4. Curtiss-Wright line number 606. Constructors Number 606. Originally intended for the Royal Air Force (RAF) with serial number ET145. Instead, delivered to the U. S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-40E-1 Warhawk serial number 41-24821. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled. Wartime History On February 21, 1942 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 49th Fighter Group (49th FG), 9th Fighter Squadron (9th FS) "The Flying Knights". No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On November 17, 1942 took off from Port Moresby piloted by Lt Floyd Finberg to escort RAAF Beaufighters to Zaka, Morobe Province. Although the outbound escort had no problem, on the return the formation met bad weather. Two of the aircraft (Lt F. Finberg and P-40E 41-36166 piloted by Haning) overshot Port Moresby and ran low on fuel. Finberg ditched off Gaire roughly twenty miles southeast of Port Moresby. Assisted by the villagers who treated him like a king. After being fed and spending a night in the chief's hut, he he was taken in an outrigger back to Port Moresby the next morning and returned to duty. Afterwards, his aircraft loss was deemed 50% personnel error and 50% material error. Wreckage The place where this plane crashed is known as "palaimisini" which means plane in Motu. During the 1990s, the aluminum was removed from this aircraft. References Thanks to Craig Busby, ADF Serials, Alvin Grady and Bruce Hoy for additional information. "Combat Airman Home: Natives Treat Him 'Like King'; He Drops Jap Zero" Duluth Herald, July 21, 1943 Another source incorrectly states Finberg bailed out over the ocean roughly 60 miles from Hula / Hood Point due to fuel exhaustion Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated March 30, 2024 |
 P-40 |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
