Found this crashed Airacobra in Cape York

[Richard W]

Hi All,

Found what looks to be the remains of a crashed Airacobra in Cape York, Australia.

Looks like it landed wheels up - can anyone figure out which way up it was?

Based on the aerofoil section and the exploded view airacobra drawings I've seen it looks upside down to me...

[fiftycal]

i believe that is lt love's P-39, found by richard rudd in 1974, i have photos somewhere, was pretty toast back then to.
was one of several that went down at the same time in bad weather but love tried landing wheels down, as far as i know the nosewheel dug in and flipped the plane which snapped the nose off and the drive shaft came loose and severed his leg, hes buried in townsville.

i have the remains of a sister ship that crashed near by 42-19943

there is still one missing in the daintree as well, i believe about 26 crashed all up

[fiftycal]

first is yundts upright, second is loves inverted

[Richard W]

Thanks very much for the photos and information fiftycal.

This one was actually about 3-4km north of Usher point, so I think it might be a different one again.

Richard Rudd's name comes up quite often with these airacobras - does anyone have contact details for him?

I'd be very interested to talk to him about some of the wrecks.

Be interested to see any more photos you had too!

[marine air]

It would beworthwhile to retrieve as much as possible. Many of the surviving P-39 's are stripped down hulks. Any parts fond may be useful for static restorations of the others.

[Richard W]

That's what I was thinking - the wreck is basically on the tide line, but I was surprised how good the condition was under the sand.

It's about 5km from the nearest vehicle access so it would be a mission!

If it is actually upside down, then there might be quite a lot of the fuselage still there.

If it's right way up then there's just that wing I guess!

[fiftycal]

i will pm Richards number to you now

[Richard W]

Thanks very much - I figured someone on here would know him!