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  P-40E-1 Warhawk Serial Number 41-25163 Nose Number 74
USAAF
5th AF
49th FG

Aircraft History
Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York during 1941. Constructor Number 19182. Originally intended for the Royal Air Force (RAF) with serial number ET487. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) P-40E-1 Warhawk serial number 41-25163. Disassembled and shipped overseas bound for the Netherlands East Indies Air Force (NEIAF) but diverted to Australia.

Wartime History
After arrival in Australia, allocated to the USAAF. On April 26, 1942 assigned to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as P-40E Kittyhawk serial number A29-94, but this assignment was canceled two days later and returned to the USAAF. That RAAF serial number was later assigned to P-40E 41-25176 which became P-40E Kittyhawk A29-94.

In Australia, assigned to the 5th Air Force, 49th Fighter Group, 7th Fighter Squadron. Nose number 74. Assigned to pilots Lt. Sidney Woods and Francis. Nicknamed "Arizona" the nose art of a rattlesnake on the engine cowling and "KIP" on the right side of the tail rudder. This P-40 operated from Darwin and later Port Moresby in New Guinea.

On December 1, 1942 this P-40 suffered a landing accident at 17 Mile Drome near Port Moresby. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared.

A newly built P-40 Warhawk, using parts from several wrecks is claimed to be this aircraft, P-40E "Arizona / Kip" serial number 41-25163. This static aircraft was funded by Robert Greinert with the work done by Precision Aerospace. During July 2017, assembled at Historic Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) at Albion Park Airfield. During late 2017, this aircraft was shipped to the United States bound for Pima Air & Space Museum.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-40E-1 Warhawk 41-25163
"25163 (ET487, MSN 19182) was to have gone to Netherlands East Indies AF, but after arrival in Australia Apr 1942 was transfered to RAAF as A29-94 but returned to USAAF two days later. In landing accident prior to transfer at 17Mile Aerodrome, PNG. A29-94 serial later allocated to 41-25176."
ADF Serials - P-40 Kittyhawk A29-94
Protect & Avenge page 91 (photos)
Warbirds Online "Curtiss P40E Kittyhawk to USA" November 20, 2017
"The identity chosen for this aircraft was a 49th Fighter Group, 7th Fighter Sqn aircraft flown by Lt. Sidney Woods. Woods was later to command the Squadron from 22nd of May 1943 promoted to Captain. The aircraft was produced against a 1941 order at the Curtiss plant in Buffalo, New York. Originally allocated to the Netherlands East Indies Air Force (NEIAF) but not delivered and then to go to the RAAF as A29-94 but this also never occurred (replaced in RAAF by 41-25176). The aircraft was re issued to 49th Fighter Group, 7th Fighter Sqn USAAC and operated in Defence of Darwin from 17th March 1942 and was eventually written off in a crash landing near Port Moresby, New Guinea on 1.12.42. The aircraft was based at Rogers Airfield, also known as 30-Mile Drome at the time."
Facebook Warbirds Online - "Did you miss the news that a Curtiss P40E..." November 20, 2017
"The aircraft is a composite restoration utilizing components from several sources."

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Last Updated
March 30, 2024

 

Tech Info
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