Lt Robert Warren, P-40 pilot

[JDK]

New Guinea, 1943...


I recently found some photos I thought I'd lost but in fact had just misfiled. They were taken when Lieutenant Robert Warren, USAAF (Ret) was the guest of honour at Precision Aerospace, Wangaratta, Victoria on a local 'show' day in 2005.

Robert had been the pilot of the P-40 'Little Jeannie' which (then) was operated by Murray Griffith of Precision. Little Jeannie has since been sold to France, where it is now based. (And as an aside, is one of the few aircraft I've now seen fly in three countries!)


Here's a shot of Robert when he was flying the aircraft. (Via Murray Griffith)




And talks to the Media - including a Victorian TV news spot - Channel Seven, I think.


In the afternoon we were hit by a sudden downpour. I (and several others caught on the spot) found that, while stylish, a P-40 makes a poor umbrella. That's the Precision CAC Wirraway running up in the hands of Gus Larard.


Gus was also the P-40 pilot for the P-40 and FA-18 formation shot above, as Gus is an ex- FA18 driver.


A bit rich!


Here's Murray taxiing out for another display on the day.


And the original of our fake 'New Guinea' shot at the top.

Hope you found this of interest. Does anyone know if Robert is still around, as I'd like to send him copies of these (and other) shots from the day.

Cheers!

[Andy in West Oz]

Great stuff, James. Always wonderful when aircraft are reunited with their original pilots. Amazing survival of both 'pieces' of history.

The last I heard of Mr Warren was when he visited in 2005 not hat that means much or helps.

[mustangdriver]

James, what a great story.