|
 |
|
|
| 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 7th FS
|
Aircraft History Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York. Constructors Number 29234. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-40N-5-CU Warhawk serial number 42-105472. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 49th Fighter Group (49th FG) "Fighting 49ers", 7th Fighter Squadron (7th FS) "Screamin' Demons". Nicknamed "Spooky" and "Dolores". Squadron Number / Plane Number 17 (White 17). Assigned to pilot Lt Harold W. Harris with crew chief Sgt Schwartz. Next, assigned to pilot 1st Lt James J. O’Neil who claimed three aerial victories: his first victory claim on March 12, 1944 and two victory claims on November 24, 1944. During 1944 this aircraft was likely written off at Finschafen Airfield then stripped for usable parts. Afterwards, the fuselage and wings were placed with other aircraft into an open pit then buried. Wreckage Until the late 1990s, this aircraft remained in situ buried in the pit. During the late 1990s excavated from a pit near Finschafen Airfield by "75 Squadron". Visible on the side of the cockpit were the names of the two pilots: "Lt. J. J. O'Neil", "Lt. H. W. Harris" and "Crew Chief Sgt Frank Schwartz". This aircraft and other aircraft and wreckage salvaged was placed into a container and exported to Melbourne then transported by road to property owned by Bruno Carnovale and stored outdoors. During 1999, restoration began on the fuselage. Jason Van Der Graaf is quoted: "As you can imagine, the aircraft is in very bad shape and will require about 70 percent of its structure to be remanufactured. We have been working on it for a number of years and hope to eventually return this aircraft to flying status.” During January 2023, this aircraft was offered for sale by Platinum Fighter Sales for the asking price of $675,000 USD with the note "This price will change over time as the restoration continues to progress" and "Supplied with the project is the substantial original wreckage including original wings confirming identity and provenance of this historic airframe." References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-40N-5-CU Warhawk 42-105472 "105472 (MSN 29234) to Bruno Carnival, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 1999-2001 for restoration project" USAF Historical Study No. 85 USAF Credits For The Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II Alphabetical: Harris, Harold W. page 82 (PDF page 89), O’Neil, James J. page 144 (PDF page 151) The Ames Tribune "WWII plane discovered in New Guinea connects to Ames pilot" by Bob Zientara February 15, 2009 Platinum Fighter Sales - 1942 Curtiss-Wright P40N-5 Project 1044 January 4, 2023 "s/n 42-105472 // USD$695,000 (+GST if applicable) "As Is Where Is" and subject to change as Project progresses Supplied with the project is the substantial original wreckage including original wings confirming identity and provenance of this historic airframe. As many original parts as possible being utilized in its rebuild and supplied with the Project" Silodrome Gasoline Culture "Curtiss P-40 Warhawk – Rescued After Being Buried For 50 Years On A South Pacific Island" by Ben Branch March 9, 2023 Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 P-40 |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
