|
Post by Woodleyagain on Oct 5, 2010 14:59:06 GMT 8
OK, according to the offical records, P-40E 40-481 was lost (or struck off) on 11 January 1942 and cost US taxpayers a shy over $30k.
My interest in this particular bird is two fold. I may have or know of a friend who may have or know of some parts off this particular aircraft however, this friend is very keen to confirm the suspicions of the identity before dancing across the international stage wearing his favourite tutu; and
I have an interest in the use of allied aircraft by the axis (Japan) for defensive operations in Asia.
So identifying this particular P-40 could go along way in filling in the jigsaw so to speak.
thanks
Woodley
|
|
|
Post by chadhill on Oct 9, 2010 22:24:29 GMT 8
A question for anyone: according to Bartsch, Ed Dyess' beloved mount "Kibosh" (#40-517, I believe) was flown off Bataan on April 8th by Lt. Jack Donaldson. Donaldson was unable to extend the landing gear and crash landed the P-40 at Manduriao Field, near Iloilo town on Panay. Kibosh was either slightly damaged, destroyed, or later set on fire, depending on which witness Bartsch interviewed.
I am sure that I saw a captured Japanese photo several years ago that supposedly was of the repaired Kibosh, ready for flight. But I have been unable to find it again. Does anyone have info on the fate of this famous P-40? Thanks.
|
|
|
Post by Raleigh on Dec 23, 2010 4:42:48 GMT 8
I'd like to add something; I found this discusson accidentally. Jack Dale was my uncle, and I know this story well. If anyone is interested, I'll tell you "the rest of the story". Upon crash landing, Dale was ejected into a rice paddy head first (hence the neck injury, and was rescued by a Filipino farmer that happened to be nearby. Dale survived and was a successful fighter pilot and later an XO of a fighter group flying P-38s and P-51s in Europe until the end of the war.
|
|
|
Post by batteryboy on Dec 23, 2010 5:29:38 GMT 8
Hi Raleigh,
Yes we would be very interested in your uncle's story.
Chad,
Let me get back to you on the fate of Kibish. I may have something on it in my "shelf of doom"
|
|
|
Post by P40 Woodley on Jan 6, 2011 11:33:12 GMT 8
Howdy,
I've done some more research re this time frame. It seems only the early P-40 models (B and C's) were at Clark AFB on * December, the remaining P-40E's were at Iba and elsewhere. it seems quite a few were caught on the ground or while trying to land to refuel after their early patrols. I have some anecdotal evidence that suggests 40-481 was flown by a pilot named Phillips on 8 December 1941 and that the pilot and aircraft survived the intial attacks on the PI's.
Does anyone have any information on the name Phillips being with any of the units operating any P-40s during this time?
thanks
Woodley
|
|
|
Post by chadhill on Jan 7, 2011 10:28:22 GMT 8
Second Lieutenant James A. Phillips of Lewiston, Idaho. Flight School Class 41-C, SN O-412159. 17th Pursuit Squadron.
While being chased by a Zero over Cavite Naval Base on 10 December 41, Phillips' P-40 was hit by friendly USMC 3 inch AA fire. He bailed out over Manila Bay and was rescued.
Phillips was involved in the crash landing of another P-40 at Clark on 19 December, injured and sent to Fort Stotsenburg hospital. (Bartsch)
Phillips was eventually taken POW, spent time at Cabanatuan, and perished on the Hell Ship Enoura Maru at Takao Harbor, Formosa on 9 January 45 when it was bombed by aircraft from the USS Hornet (CV-12). His body was never recovered.
|
|
|
Post by Woodley2 on Jan 7, 2011 21:25:42 GMT 8
Ok, excellent stuff, many thanks but it does raise another question. In the RAAF - and I suspect in others as well - commisioned pilots or pilot officers generally had an aircraft assigned to them whereas NCO's or flight Sergents shared aircraft. Can anyone explain what the 'standard was for the USAAC as at Dec 1941? I understand the circumstances may have thrown the usual protocols out the window, but if Lt Phillips had to share an aircraft it could help narrow down this ships history.
cheers
|
|