Judy Pay’s P-40F, s/n 41-14112, is currently flying 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.
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.
I am the Secretary of the North Brisbane RAAF Association and our branch is interested in making a full size replica of a Kitty Hawk Aircraft.It would be a static model suspended from the ceiling no wheels Most of the frame or bulkheads would be styrophome for lightness.Do you have any measurements of the cowl sizes and body size, cockpit, heights etc which would help us with this project It would be hung in a RSL hall which has just been named Kitty Hawk House which is along Kitty hawk Drive in Brisbane. Thank you.Bob