|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| RAAF No. 75 Squadron Former Assignments No. 82 Squadron 2 OTU 1 ES |
Aircraft History Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York. Constructors Number 18605. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-40E-1 Warhawk 41-36084. Assigned Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number ET730. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia as part of defense aid to Sydney. Wartime History During June 1942 assigned to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as P-40E Kittyhawk serial number A29-133. Reassembled by 2 Air Depot (2 AD) at Richmond Field. On June 22, 1942 assigned to No. 75 Squadron with code S. Assigned to pilot Bruce E. "Buster" Brown, 402342. Nicknamed "Polly" by Brown after his wife, with the name painted on both sides of nose below the exhaust stacks. This P-40 operated from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby. Next operated from Gurney Airfield (No. 1 Strip) near Milne Bay. On August 11, 1942 took off from Gurney Airfield (No. 1 Strip) piloted by Brown as one of twenty-two Kittyhawks from No. 75 Squadron and No. 76 Squadron that engaged twelve A6M2 Zeros. During the air combat, Brown claimed one Zero damaged. During early 1943 assigned to 10 Repair & Salvage Unit (10 RSU). On January 17, 1943 returned to No. 75 Squadron. Next, this P-40 had an engine change at 12 Repair & Salvage Unit (12 RSU). On March 10, 1943 returned to No. 75 Squadron and during the end of March 1943 returned to 10 RSU. On June 2, 1943 at 2:30pm during take off by pilot F/O Paul E. Whitehead, 408942 the right tire began to deflate then shred, so he accelerated and became airborne as the right landing gear leg collapsed and returning force landed. Afterwards, repaired then on August 2, 1943 returned to No. 75 Squadron. On September 11, 1943 assigned to No. 82 Squadron. On October 17, 1943 crash landed at Bankstown Airfield and was damaged. Afterwards, assigned to 2 Air Depot (2 AD). Afterwards, assigned to No. 82 Squadron and then 2 Operational Training Unit (2 OTU). On June 7, 1944 assigned to 1 Engineering School (1 ES) in Victoria for use as an instructional airframe until the end of World War II. Postwar During 1947 this aircraft was disposed by the Department of Aircraft Production as surplus. On February 9, 1949 officially stricken off charge derelict in Melbourne. This aircraft was acquired by Mr. Nelson R. Wilson between 1960-1992. This aircraft was registered as VH-NRW and under restoration with hopes of restoring to airworthy condition. Display During 1992, purchased by Australian War Memorial (AWM) and restored to static condition. Today, displayed in a diorama in the Bradbury Aircraft Hall. A portion of the original rudder fabric is also part of their collection REL20242-001. Memorials Former pilot Bruce "Buster" Brown passed away in August 2005. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-40E-1 Warhawk 41-36084 "36084 (MSN 18605, ET730) to RAAF as A29-133 6/42. To Nelson R. Wilson of Wandin, Victoria 1960-1962. Recovered derelict from orchard, Melbourne, Victoria. Registration VH-NRW reserved in 1987. In 1995 was reported to be under restoration to flying condition. On static display at Australian War Memorial, Canberra from 1992." WW2 Nominal Roll - Bruce Edward Brown, 402342 WW2 Nominal Roll - Paul Ernest Whitehead, 408942 ADF Serials - Kittyhawk A29-133 AWM - P-40E-1-CU Kittyhawk aircraft A29-133 : RAAF : Rudder fabric (AWM REL20242-001) AWM - P-40E-1-CU Kittyhawk fighter aircraft A29-133 : RAAF (REL/20242) AWM - P-40E-1-CU Kittyhawk aircraft A29-133 : RAAF : Pilot's seat ( REL/20242.002) Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 P-40 |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
