Aircraft History
Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York. Assigned U. S. Army serial number 42-105691. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled.

Wartime History
During September 1943 assigned to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Kittyhawk A29-523. Assigned to 75 Squadron. Assigned to 13 ARDRP for repairs, then on November 15, 1943 returned to 75 Squadron.

Mission History
On January 27, 1944 one of twelve P-40s led by S/L J. H. Kinninmont, C. O. of 75 Squadron that took off on a strafing mission against Jomba Island (Yomba) to the east of Madang. During one of the strafing runs, P/O Hunt approached from northwest followed by F/Sgt Crowthers at the same time this P-40 made its approach from the west from about 2,000'. It appears P/O Hunt saw this aircraft and attempted to pull away to starboard but still collided with it causing both aircraft to exploded on impact. Both pilots were killed in the collision and were declared Missing In Action (MIA).

After the impact, this aircraft crashed into the sea and P-40N A29-530 crashed on the western side of Jomba Island (Yomba) and started a fire on the ground.

Wreckage
On Jomba Island (Yomba), the Luluwai (chief) of the island witnessed the collision and saw wreckage falling onto the sea (wreckage of this aircraft) and other wreckage impacting the western side of the island causing a fire (wreckage of P-40N A29-530).

Memorials
Stirling was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is memorialized at Lae War Cemetery on the Lae Memorial, panel 6.

References
ADF Serials - Kittyhawk A29-523
CWGC - James McLaren Stirling
RAAFDB - Kittyhawk A29-523
RAAFDB - James McLaren Stirling

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Last Updated
February 4, 2018