Aircraft History
Built by Bell in Buffalo, New York. Assigned Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number AP375 and painted in a three-color camouflage scheme. Instead, delivered to the U.S. Army. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 35th Fighter Group, 39th Fighter Squadron. No known nickname or nose art.

Mission History
On June 18, 1942 took off from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby piloted by Green on a mission to intercept incoming Japanese aircraft.

Green was accompanied by P-400 Airacobra BX169. During the combat, this Airacobra's guns jammed forcing Lt. Green to dive down towards the ground and into some clouds. When he emerged, Green saw two Zeros in front and below him and got his cannon unjammed and fired on one of the enemy aircraft and claimed it as shot down. Damaged, he bailed out near 14 Mile Drome (Schwimmer) and suffered back injuries. Also lost was P-400 Airacobra BX169.

References
Joe Baugher "Airacobra I for RAF, P-400"
PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-39 (P-400) Airacobra AP361
USAF Victory credits - 1st Lt. Donald J Green June 18, 1942

Last Updated
February 18, 2020