Mareeba P-40
Fri Jun 05, 2009 10:30 pm
Hi all, not sure if this has been covered already and if so ....my apologies 
It appears another first flight occured not more than one week ago up in Far North Qld.
This is a Kittyhawk P40N-5 and according to its website @ http://www.warbirdadventures.com.au (which still ists it as under restoration ).
Photo from a friend of its first landing
It appears another first flight occured not more than one week ago up in Far North Qld.
This is a Kittyhawk P40N-5 and according to its website @ http://www.warbirdadventures.com.au (which still ists it as under restoration ).
This aircraft (S/N 42-104977) from the USAAF 49th Fighter Group was piloted by Lt Joel Thorvaldson (who is still alive today) and was shot down by a Japanese Zero on 13 September 1943 in the Lae area of Papua New Guinea. The aircraft was retrieved from its wartime resting place on 10 December 2004 and it now resides on display at Warbird Adventures.
The restoration is a 3 year project with the aircraft scheduled to fly in 2008. It is being restored with a second seat to enable visitors to enjoy the thrill of an adventure flight.
The Allison V12 engine is factory new from wartime and has been overhauled in Victoria.
Photo from a friend of its first landing
Fri Jun 05, 2009 10:31 pm
SWEEEET!
Sat Jun 06, 2009 6:53 am
actual first flight lasted about three minutes after the engine dumped all the oil. Skillful return saved the driver and a nice ship.... 
All the more reason to use very experienced pilots for first flights..
All the more reason to use very experienced pilots for first flights..
Sat Jun 06, 2009 8:56 pm
Oscar Duck said: "All the more reason to use very experienced pilots for first flights.."
...add...and 2nd flights...and third flights...
...add...and 2nd flights...and third flights...