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| USAAF 5th AF 35th FG 41st FS  Hilbert 1942 |
Pilot 1st Lt. David E. Latane, O-426399 (survived) Richmond, VA Crashed February 9, 1943 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Bell in Buffalo, New York. At the factory, assigned a Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number unknown and painted in a three-color camouflage scheme. Instead, delivered to the U.S. Army Army Air Force (USAAF) as as P-400 Airacobra and retained the RAF serial number. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 35th Fighter Group (35th FG), 41st Fighter Squadron (41st FS). No known nose art or nickname. Possibly, this aircraft was P-400 Airacobra Nose 94 assigned to Latane. Mission History On February 9, 1943 took off from 30 Mile Drome (Rogers) near Port Moresby piloted by 1st Lt. David E. Latane on a patrol over Oro Bay. Twenty-five minutes into the flight at roughly 2,000', this Airacobra caught fire roughly 20 miles north of 30 Mile Drome. Latane bailed out and landed safely. Fate of the Pilot Latane landed in a swamp and took three days before he reached dry ground. On February 15, 1943 after six days, he retuned to his squadron. Afterwards, he was sent to Brisbane for rest and recuperation. Erick Kyro, pilot 41st FS adds: "On another occasion, Latane had had to bail out. He landed in a big swamp and floated in his Mae West for three days before he reached dry ground. I remember him telling us that he had a picture of his wife in his wallet and would take it out frequently, look at it and wonder if he would ever see her again. After he got out of the water he searched for food. He caught a small iguana, cut its head off and drank the blood. I don't remember how he was rescued." Relatives John Haynes (grandson of Latane) References Joe Baugher "Airacobra I for RAF, P-400" Flight Log David E. Latane - February 9, 1943 "Plane caught on fire 20 miles north of 30 Mile Drome. Took me 6 days to walk back, after bailing out in the thickest swamp I have ever seen." Unit History of the 41st Fighter Squadron – Casualties: 24 July 1942 to 24 March 1944 "Captain David E. Latane, O-426399: Captain Latane bailed out of plane at 2,000 feet, 12 miles Northwest of 30 mile drome. Just before Pilot bailed out, plane was observed smoking. Pilot's chute seemed to open and believed to be in vicinity of crash. Captain Latane return[ed] to base on 14 February 1943." Staff Sgt. Gilbert Lynn Cameron World War II Journal, 41st FS "9 February 1943 Lost another ship today—the pilot (Latane) bailed out to safety. Leaves us 19 ships now. 10 February 1943 Leut. Latane has not been found yet. He bailed out over swamps and may never be found. 14 February 1943 Word comes that Leut. Latane, lost in jungle, has been found. 15 February 1943 Navy dive bombers picked up Latane out of swamps & flew him back here. He drew attention by waving his tattered shirt — had eaten lizards & a bird — no sleep in 6 days — was wandering around in circles — on a raft he had built of bamboo & sticks — couldn't find a way out of the swamp — was bruised & scratched all over his body and had lost 25 lbs. We cheered him as he got out of the little rescue ship. Boy! Was he a happy fellow." Thanks to Edward Rogers for additional information, 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
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