The desert gives up one of the RAF's finest
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The desert gives up one of the RAF's finest.. vandals have found it.
Fascinating thread been running over on Flypast originating from photos that have appeared on a Polish modelling site following the discovery of a downed RAF P-40 in remarkable condition, shades of Lady Be Good...
Photos here
WWW.KONRADUS.COM - LOTNICTWO - Znalezisko
And also films of the wreck..
I just hope it is rescued before being stripped.. It deserves a place in a museum.
Photos here
WWW.KONRADUS.COM - LOTNICTWO - Znalezisko
And also films of the wreck..
I just hope it is rescued before being stripped.. It deserves a place in a museum.
Last edited by NutLoose; 2nd May 2012 at 19:45.
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Looks in remarkable condition given the time it has been out there. Lets hope it can be preserved for all to see without any treasure hunters getting their hands on it or is that too late?
I really hope that the aircraft and the integrity of the site is preserved - there appears to be an absolute wealth of information about the aircraft, the pilot and its mission...and from teh photos, it shows how effective camoflague is after 70 years!
Fareastdriver,
The data plate appears to be missing from the P-40, but it is a possibility that it is serial ET574.
See following from page 14 onwards.
P-40 from Sahara - Page 14 - Key Publishing Ltd Aviation Forums
The data plate appears to be missing from the P-40, but it is a possibility that it is serial ET574.
See following from page 14 onwards.
P-40 from Sahara - Page 14 - Key Publishing Ltd Aviation Forums
On 28/6/42 ET574 Piloted by F/Sgt DCH Copping 785025 left 260 for a ferry flight to an RSU . The A/C flew with u/c locked down due to damage . An incorrect course was set and the A/C was thought to have crashed in the Desert due to fuel exhaustion. F/Sgt Copping is listed as missing on that date.
Does it look possible that this P40 landed with its gear down?
One of the suggestions are that the aircraft was being ferried with the wheels down. However, if the aircraft was force landing with either battle damage or otherwise unservicable would he not have put the gear down to absorb the first shock. The scenery, if, as it was sixty years ago, might have looked more inviting for wheels than the belly.
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P40 Kittyhawk found in the desert
Here is a good link to a Canadian Warbird site that flies a preserved P40 in the exact markings of the lost aircraft. They have enhanced one of the pictures toshow the markings HS-B and picture of a later HS-B in a 260 Sqn line up in1942. The RAF used Tomahawks, Warhawks and Kittyhawks all variations of the P40 (most US aircraft names were given bythe British)
Original Kittyhawk HS-B Discovered > Vintage Wings of Canada
Original Kittyhawk HS-B Discovered > Vintage Wings of Canada
The first video showed people trying very hard to open the canopy.
Surely, if the pilot survived, he wouldn't have returned to close the canopy. Pilot listed as missing which is strange, so his body not in the cockpit.
The sceptic in me is saying is this an elaborate hoax?
Surely, if the pilot survived, he wouldn't have returned to close the canopy. Pilot listed as missing which is strange, so his body not in the cockpit.
The sceptic in me is saying is this an elaborate hoax?
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If you read the thread on Flypast you will find some interesting points, Pilots chute found opened by the nose of the aircraft , chute D ring on aft side of wing as if rigged up as sun shelter possibly, flares are outside the cockpit, the Radio is out of the aircraft and the cover has been bent back, the damaged battery is also outside the aircraft near the radio, so one surmises he may have been taking shelter whilst trying to get the radio working to send out an SOS.. also clock is missing, for navigation? you can see all of these on the high res picture link.
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I wander as to the state of the ammunition that you see been carried off? What are the chances of that working correctly after a 70 year baking and cooling cycle?