Aircraft History
Built by Bell in Buffalo, New York. Assigned Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number unknown 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 nose art or nickname.

Mission History
Took off from Port Moresby on an mission to escort B-25 Mitchells from the 3rd Bombardment Group and B-26 Mauraders of the 22nd Bombardment Group. Near Cape Ward Hunt, intercepted A6M2 Zeros. On the return flight, he successfully force landed on the beach out of fuel (other sources say engine damage) south of Rigo, hitting his head on the gun site during the crash.

Fate of the Pilot
Returned to Port Moresby, Wahl returned to duty on June 15, 1942.

References
Wahl claimed a enemy aircraft shot down on May 26, 1942 over Wau.
Revenge of the Red Raiders page 107
P-39 Airacobra Aces of World War 2 page 13
Joe Baugher "Airacobra I for RAF, P-400"
Thanks to Edward Rogers for additional information

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Last Updated
June 29, 2019