P-39 updates?

[Steve Rister]

Hi everyone,
There are a few Airacobra's that have been obscure for several years and I'm not sure they even exist.
P-39D 41-6802/Anthony Armstrong/NewZealand
P-39D 41-7515/Glenrowan VIC Australia
P-400 AP-335/Jack Taft/Jackson MI

I'm guilty of not subscribing to a magazine that may have already
covered these!

TIA
Steve

[Dan K]

Jack Taft P-400 AP-335 definitely exists.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl= ... D%26sa%3DG

I just don't know how old the photos are.

[Steve Rister]

Dan,
Thanks for posting the link. Confirms the Taft a/c does exist.

Thanks again,
Steve

[Matt]

Hi Steve,

"P-39D 41-6802/Anthony Armstrong/NewZealand" would have been owned by Monty Armstrong. Have never come across this aircraft in my travels so far.

"P-39D 41-7515/Glenrowan VIC Australia" is really 41-7215. This one definitely exists and was being used as a pattern aircraft for several P-39 restorations. However I believe it has now changed hands and can be found in Adelaide, South Australia, where it will be restored as a static display.

Hope this is of some interest.

Cheers,
Matt

[Digger]

Steve

P-39F = 41-7215 originally recovered and partially restored by Nick Watling et al in Qld, then sold to Murray Griffiths at Wangaratta and recently arrived Adelaide for reconstruction to Static. It will also be used for templates and reference on other projects.

cheers

Digger

[Steve Rister]

Thanks guys,

It's tough keeping up with the current status of warbirds! I noticed a few Mustangs "Iron Ass" and "Diamond Back" have sold recently.

Steve

[setter]

Hi - perhaps a little light can be shed here - just a little - 41-7215 now in Adelaide has not been the first P39 owned by Bob Jarrett South Australia the first was BuNo42-4312 A P39K


History: Damaged during ground engine run, Narewa Field, Woodlark Island, PNG, Mar. 18, 1943. Bob Jarrett/South Australian Aviation Museum, Port Adelaide, South Australia, 1982-1991- Recovered from Woodlark, PNG, 1982 - Restoration for static display. Used wing from 42-4368. The Fighter Collection, Duxford, UK, 1991. Weeks Air Museum, Tamiami, FL, 1991-2002 - Damaged by Hurricane Andrew, Tamiami, FL, Aug. 24, 1992 - Stored dismantled, 1997 - Fuselage displayed in Pacific war diorama, 1997-1998. Sent to Australia for restoration, 2004 at Precision Aerospace Productions, Wangarratta Victoria . Serial #: 42-4312Construction #: ? Civil Registration: None Model: P-39K Name: None Status: Restoration to fly Last info: 2005 Now nearing completion to airworthy status


P-39F = 41-7215 is the aircraft mentiond here as returning to South Australia from wangarratta and its history is as follows
History: Forced landing near Weipa, Queensland, May 1, 1942 - Abandoned until 1972 - Recovered by Cairns Aircraft Recovery Group, Sep. 1972.
Cairns Aircraft Recovery Group, Cairns, Queensland, 1972-1990 - Stored.- Mount Isa, Queensland, 1987-1992 - Restored for static display commenced, 1972-1992. Ian Mulluns, Condon, Townesville, Queensland, 1990-2000 - Restored fuselage stored, Mossman, Queensland, 1992-2000 - Wings under restoration. Townsville, Queensland, 1992-2000. Sold to Precision Aerospace Productions, Glenrowan, Victoria, 2000-2002 - Wangaratta, Victoria, 2002. Then to Bob Jarrett 2005 for refurbishment to staticdisplay in Fighter Jets Museum Serial #: 41-7215 Construction #: 15-554 Civil Registration: None Model: P-39F Name: None Status: Restoration Last info: 2005 This aircraft was used extensively at wang to measure for jigs and components etc prior to moving to Adelaide.

As far as 41-6802 goes I think you will find it is in australia under restoration to fly by a very private individual
Serial #: 41-6802 Construction #: 15-141 Civil Registration:
None Model: P-39D Name: None Status: Unknown Last info: 1988
History: Shot down by Japanese, PNG, May 12, 1942. William G. Chapman, Air Museum of PNG, 1970-1972.Kokoda Track War Museum, Port Moresby, PNG, 1972.N. M. Armstrong, Auckland, NZ, 1979.
- Loaned to Museum of Transportation & Technology, Auckland, 1975-1979. N. M. Armstrong, Auckland, NZ, 1988.



Thanks go for the above data to the WIX database - a fantastic little resource with some added information I put in as known.

The P39 will look great alongside the magnificant P38 nearing completion as we speak.

John Parker

[Lightning]

Howdy All

I read in November issue of "Aircraft Illustrated" that one of David Tallichet's P-39s, was going to be exhchanged with Rob Greinert. A-20 Wing Centre section was the only thing mentioned as part of the trade.

Lightning

[setter]

Yes

That would make sense - there is a link to a few projects there through a couple of restorers so I could think it is possible

Regards
John

[warbirdfinder]

Bell P-39Q-15-15-BE # 44-2911 recovered summer of 2004 Karalian Penn., Russia by Pearce/Walton

[setter]

I would not be at all surprised if it winds up at Wangarratta or is there now !!

Regards
John P

[warbirdfinder]

It is in Wothing, England

[setter]

Hi sorry warbirdfinder - I was talking about the Grienert one not the
Bell P-39Q-15-15-BE # 44-2911 recovered summer of 2004 Karalian Penn., Russia by Pearce/Walton one

regards
John p

[Aircraft Mech Paul]

Sir John,

How many Aircobra airframes are there in your part of the world ? And how many are in some stage of restoration ??

Paul