P-40F Kittyhawk

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  Judy Pay's P-40F, s/n 41-14112, is currently under restoration at "The Old Aeroplane Company" in Tyabb, Victoria, Australia with the wings and other components for this P-40 having been rebuilt by Pioneer Aero Restorations. The components rebuilt by us have now been shipped to Judy's facility at Tyabb.

History
On 20 December 1942 four P-40F Warhawks from the 44th fighter squadron, 18th fighter group (13th Air force), took off from the Bauerfield (American base) at Efate in Vanuatu on a navigation & training exercise.

Some thirty minutes south of Efate they ran into severe tropical storms, and with diminishing fuel supplies, decided to make a forced landing on the island of Erromango (approx 86 miles S.E. of Efate) in a clearing on the slopes of Mt Santop - the highest peak on the island.

The pilots involved in this loss of the P-40Fs were:
1Lt John E. Little flight leader
#2 2Lt Frank "Zoom" Radzuikinas
#3 2Lt Ed Talbot
#4 2Lt C.B. Head Jr. (Pilot of this P-40 under restoration)

Although all four pilots made successful landings in the sense of surviving the incident, the same could not be said for the planes. The Air Force cut a trail to the planes, removing most of the reusable furnishings. It was only in 1989 when 41-14112, the best of the bad lot was extracted - along with some components from the remains of the other aircraft - to be given a second chance. When this plane is completed it will be the only flying genuine 'F' model left in existence.

 

Waiting for recovery Waiting for recovery Waiting for recovery Waiting for recovery Little, Head and Talbot (John Cook)
Major John E. Little (John Cook) 2Lt Head after crash (John Cook) Captain Ed Talbot (John Cook)    

All photos copyright, not for publication.

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