44th Fighter Squadron Crash Landings 20 Dec 1942 - Vanuatu.

[paulmcmillan]

Does anyone here ? Jack Cook ? have a serial list and crew list of the 4 P-40F's that were flying from Bauerfield on Efate on a training mission on 20th Dec 1941. They encountered severe weather and force landed in a clearing on Mt. Santop on Erromango in Vanuatu. All the pilots were uninjured from the landing.

The 4 pilots were


1st Lt John E. Little flight leader

2nd Lt Frank 'Murph' J Radzuikinas

2nd Lt. Cotesworth "C.B" B Head, Jr. with P-40F-1-CU "Bone Crusher" Serial Number 41-14112

2nd Lt Ed Talbot's with P-40F-1-CU Serial Number 41-14205

I ws wondering if anyone knew

a) The serials of the other 2 P-40F's
b) Confirm Talbot and Head in the 2 serails listed
c) Can anyone confirm spelling and full name of 2nd Lt Ed Talbot?

Many Thanks

Paul

[Jack Cook]

I know it all
I'm the squadron historian. I've supplied Judy Pay, Jason VDG and others info on the flight. They seem locked on naming the plane 'Bone Crusher' where has it was actually 'Pee Wee' and assigned to Sam hitchcock and crashed by CB Head. The NZ one being bastardized into a 'E' was flown by 2Lt George 'Ed' Talbot who was flight leader John Little's cousin.
http://groups.msn.com/44thFighterSquadronTributePage[/b]

Last edited by Jack Cook on Fri Aug 17, 2007 11:47 am, edited 1 time in total.

[paulmcmillan]

Jack Thanks ( i hoped you would answer) as I have found your msn group as well and asked to join!


'Ed' Talbot had me confused as I could find no reference to him.. As he is George 'Ed' Talbot - it makes all the difference


To update the list

1st Lt John E. Little - Flight Leader

2nd Lt Frank 'Murph' J. Radzuikinas

2nd Lt. Cotesworth 'C.B' B. Head, Jr with P-40F-1-CU 'Pee Wee' Serial Number 41-14112

2nd Lt George 'Ed' E. Talbot with P-40F-1-CU Serial Number 41-14205

I don't suppose you know the serials of the other 2 aircraft do you ???

Regards

Paul