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| RNZAF No. 14 Squadron Former Assignments USAAF 13th AF 347th FG 68th FS |
Aircraft History Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York. Constructor number 19177. Originally intended for the Royal Air Force (RAF) with serial number ET482. Instead, allocated to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-40E-1 Warhawk serial number 41-25158. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South Pacific (SOPAC) and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to 13th Air Force (13th AF), 347th Fighter Group (347th FG), 68th Fighter Squadron (68th FS) operating from Tongatabu Airfield (Tonga Tabu) on Tonga. No known nickname or nose art. During April 1942, transferred to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) as P-40E Kittyhawk serial number NZ3009. Assigned to No. 14 Squadron with tail code ZK-RMH. No known nickname or nose art. This Kittyhawk served with the squadron until the end of the war and was returned to New Zealand. Postwar In 1959, sold as scrap metal to Asplin's Supplies in Rukuhia, New Zealand. During 1959, recovered by Charles Darby and R. H. McGarry who co-owned this P-40 during 1959 until 1994. Next, Charles Darby loaned the aircraft to the Museum of Transport & Technology (MoTAT). Displayed in the aircraft's correct RNZAF markings with NZ3009 and tail ZK-RMH. Restoration Next owned by Charles Darby and Jim Pavitt. During 1994-1997, restored by Pacific Aircraft Ltd. The wing section from P-40N NZ3203 was used in the restoration. During 1997, the restoration was completed by Pioneer Aero Restorations Ltd. and sold to Ray Hanna / Old Flying Machine Company (OFMC) to airworthy status. First flight was December 1997. Painted in the markings "Wauranapa Wild Cat (II)" with 11 victory markings. During February 1999, transported to the United Kingdom to Old Flying Machine Company, where it flew as P-40 NZ3009 until 2002. On March 10, 2003 registered to Classic Aviation Ltd of Duxford, England as G-CCBE. On June 18, 2003 registration ZK-RMH was reserved with the owner listed as Old Flying Machine Company. Operated by Breitling Fighters Team painted in the markings of the American Volunteer Group (AVG) as 663 / 88. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-40E-1 Warhawk 41-25158 "25158 (MSN 19177, ET482) to New Zealand as NZ3009. Brought on charge (BOC) at RNZAF Base Hobsonville, Auckland at the beginning of Apr 1942. Recovered from scrapyard at Rukuhia, NZ in 1959. Loaned to Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland 1964-1994. Static restoration using wings of NZ3203. To Old Flying Machine Co of Duxford, England 1994-1997. Restored to airworthy condition. To Pacific Aircraft Ltd of Auckland, NZ Dec 9, 1997 to 1998, registered as ZK-RMH. First flight Dec 1997. To Old Flying Machine Co of Auckland, NZ May 5, 1998-2002. Shipped to Duxford, UK Mar 19, 1999. Operated by Old Flying Machine Co, Duxford 2000-2002. Registered Mar 10, 2003 to Classic Aviation Ltd of Duxford, England as G-CCBE. Registration ZK-RMH was reserved Jun 18, 2003 " Kiwi Aircraft Images - Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk 3009 "NZ3009 (P-40E c/n19669, ex 41-25158, ET482 ) This ex-RNZAF P-40E machine was returned to airworthiness in 1998. Formerly located at MoTaT, the aircraft was retrieved by it's owner in exchange for a static restoration, NZ3039. Substantially restored to flying condition by Pacific Aircraft Ltd, then finished by Pioneer Aero Restorations Ltd for Ray Hanna of the OFMC. The aircraft has been displayed in New Zealand, but is now based at Duxford. (illustrated below)" Contribute
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