|  |
|
| 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 35th FG 41st FS Former Assignment 8th FG 80th FS   Jessie Hague c1942 |
Pilot 2nd Lt George T. Helveston, O-432247 (survived) Rusk County, TX Crashed September 1, 1942 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Bell in Buffalo, New York. Purchased by the Royal Air Force (RAF) as P-400 Airacobra serial number BX146. At the factory, painted in a three-color camouflage scheme and RAF markings. Instead, delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) and retained the RAF serial number. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 8th Fighter Group (8th FG), 80th Fighter Squadron (80th FS) "The Headhunters". Nose letter Q. No known nose art or nickname. Later, assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 35th Fighter Group (35th FG), 41st Fighter Squadron "The Flying Buzzsaws" (41st FS). Tail number 213 painted in white or yellow. Mission History On September 1, 1942 took off from Port Moresby piloted by 2nd Lt George T. Helveston on a mission then bailed out and landed unhurt. His P-400 crashed near the river, roughly one mile from Durand Drome (17 Mile Drome) near Port Moresby. Officially, this aircraft was listed as surveyed January 24, 1944. Memorials Helveston passed away on December 2, 1968 at age 48. He is buried at Tatum Cemetery in Tatum, TX. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - George T. Helveston Joe Baugher "Airacobra I for RAF, P-400" FindAGrave - George Turner Helveston (grave photo) Thanks to Edward Rogers for research and analysis Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated August 9, 2026 |
 P-400 |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
