Bell P-59 photo & Qs

JDK · **Posted:** Sun May 20, 2007 6:39 am

Hi folks,
Brief 'Jack Cook' moment here. A photo of a Bell P-59 in my collection, from an original print. The serial's clearly visible, so it's no mystery, but I was wondering if any Airacomet expert could give us a run down on it. A where & when would be good too.

A closeup in the background seems to show a selection of types - P-47 razorback, P-63(?) P-38 (with 'P-31' ?!? written on the tail) T-6 and C-47.

Given the variety, looks like a museum's external store from the 50s, but rather than digging around, I wondered what the team here could do! Comments welcome.

CWBuff · **Joined:** Tue Jul 19, 2005 1:14 am **Posts:** 854

Nice shot... click the links below for info concerning the P-59 and P-38...

P-59A-1-BE 44-22614

P-38J-20-LO 44-23314

I'm interested to learn more about that C-46...

Fade to Black...

JDK · **Posted:** Sun May 20, 2007 7:16 am

Thanks P-40. I'd just found the March Field page myself:

Quote:

This aircraft is the only remaining P-59A aircraft of the twenty production P-59A aircraft built. This aircraft is on loan from the USAF.

JDK · **Posted:** Wed May 23, 2007 1:38 am

..bump...

Anyone got any thoughts?

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11324

Quote:

Hancock Field School of Aeronautics, Santa Monica, CA, Sept. 1945-1954.
- Instructional Airframe.
Jack P. Hardwick, El Monte CA, Apr. 1954-1959.
- Registered as N29Q.
- Open Storage, Lavern-Brackett Field, CA.

My guess would be at Santa Monica airport at the school. Jack Hardwick was a "junk" dealer that sold surplus aircraft and parts. As I recall the P-59 came from Hardwick as well. He probably bought all the aircraft from the school when they became excess to their needs. As I recall, Hardwick did have a P-39 as well. You might want to search for Hardwick in the registry.

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Bell P-59 photo & Qs

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