Parts Built P-40E

[Jack Cook]

2Lt Don Lee of the 7th FS 49th Fg with his parts built P-40E #15 aptly named "BITZA-HAWK" Darwwin, AU 1942.
Don scored 4 kills before being shot down and badly wounded by a Val DB rear gunner off the coast of New Guinea.
He returned to combat in 1945 has CO of the 67th FS 347th FG.

[Nathan]

This is the kinda stuff that I love Jack. Pacific P-40's and their pilots. Thanks!

[SPANNERmkV]

Jack,
Inspirational!
What was the story on the "parts" airplane? From airframes bombed to bits in Darwin?
Do you have a date on when he was shot down in NG?

[RMB]

That P-40 is nothing but a replica.

[Jack Cook]

1Lt Lee and his P-40K #34 at Dobodura in Aug 1943.

[Nathan]

Hey Jack? Got anything on Bob Vaught?

[lmritger]

2Lt Don Lee of the 7th FS 49th Fg with his parts built P-40E #15 aptly named "BITZA-HAWK" Darwwin, AU 1942.
Don scored 4 kills before being shot down and badly wounded by a Val DB rear gunner off the coast of New Guinea.
He returned to combat in 1945 has CO of the 67th FS 347th FG.

I think we're all overlooking the REAL issue here... did the mechanics have a dataplate to start with? Because if they didn't, then this aircraft has no provenance and is worth nothing.



Cool shot and story, Jack... that's the second Pacific fighter I know of that was built from spare parts, the other being the silver Corsair of some Marine service squadron, coded SS-11.

Lynn

PS: Bonus points if you can let us know what serial they assigned to that Hawk...