Any P-40 experts care to comment on this image?

[TAdan]

A look on Google shows that there are plans to repair the damage done in the video above.

http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/ne ... s-defiled/

[mike furline]

Sorry to get off topic but on the subject of War memorials and cemetery...
Don't watch if you are easily upset. Everyone needs to know about this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LApUSZXdoUA

Oh, the religion of peace at it again.

[Ztex]

GRRRRRR....ARGHHH! (That video makes me very angry)


Mod hat on...
BUT..please let's stay on topic...
Thanks...

[cooper9411]

Ungrateful, worthless pieces of $@!*

[peter]

Sorry but can we get back to talking about the P40 now!?!?!

[shepsair]

Agree Peter

As much as it makes my blood boil, this is still a discussion about a P40 in Egypt.

There is a lot more to discuss about her (assuming the ID discussed) in relation to the North African Campaign, When was she built, how did she get to Europe, assembled, test flown, combat, repair etc etc. (We know a lot and a few others have a lot of other information) but there might always be a few more snippets to discover. Amazing what you can find on the web!

What an amazing week that started on the theme of models, diorama's and CGI

regards

Mark

[Mark Allen M]

What an amazing week that started on the theme of models, diorama's and CGI

regards

Mark

Right you are, but you really can't blame some for thinking this was a scam right off the bat. I personally thought a find such as this would never again exist and whammo! was I wrong, very happily of course. One must wonder what other aircraft are 'out there' waiting to be found.

[Jesse C.]

I was waiting to see video of Tupac flying it out of there! Drat!

Anyhoo. Why are there no pics of the Data Plate? Is there a reason this is being witheld? I mean, we even have the Data Plate shot of the Widow in Beijing, this one is just laying out there.

And why has TIGHAR not started a warbird rescue on this one yet? I think they are almost done with the P-38

[hang the expense]

There is also a dataplate on the sta 5 armorplate right above the gear/flap selector unit.I'm sure we will find out soon enough.

[bombadier29]

Sorry to get off topic but on the subject of War memorials and cemetery...
Don't watch if you are easily upset. Everyone needs to know about this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LApUSZXdoUA

That was the Benghazi War Cemetary in Benghazi Libya. Also torn up was the Benghazi British Military Cemetary. Between the two, over 200 headstones and the cross of remembrance were damaged or destroyed by muslims. This only happened last month. Oh yes, they are very reasonable people!

[B 25 C]

Sick people in a sick country!

[gary1954]

Sick people in a sick country!

The ones that would have remembered Rommel and his buddies have probably all died off by now,
so no one remembers the efforts of the Allies in the liberation of their country. I guess many are just
to stupid to read or watch a few youtube videos.
now, back to the original post

[Dan Jones]

Are the P-40's particularly susceptible to corrosion in any areas? I see a few spots on this one but nothing of any real consequence. A friend of mine in the oil business who's spent a lot of time in Libya says that some portions of the desert there have quite a high salinity - not exactly the dry, zero corrosion potential that comes to mind when we think "desert".

And is anyone aware of any plans for a search operation for the missing pilot?

Dan

[shepsair]

Back to original thread!

OK, an archaeology question of sorts. Would be interesting to know general thoughts on this as it has not really been discussed. (You might have to refer back to original photo if you have it or look at the Key site).

The writing on the hatch.

It seems to say

COWL BUTTON

TO BE LOCKED

SHUT BEFORE FLIGHT

Q - Was this applied in the factory - if so does not seems to be a clear stencil, more hand painted.

Q - Is it two separate phases 'Cowl button to be locked' and later 'shut before flight'.

Q - The writing seems to have been painted 'above/around' the grey modified latch plate.

so, if not factory

Q - was it applied at the MU when assembled when the modified hatch latch was fitted?

Q - if this was the case and it was painted over the roundel would it have been painted over before issue to 260Sqn. Also a note in white paint over white roundel so does not make it readable!

Trouble is it seems to have survived the best which seems to indicate it was not applied last though was applied with thick paint by brush?

Bit a quandary. No evidence on other P40's ever having this though not many show the modified hatch latch.

Bit of a head scratch!!!

regards

Mark

[51fixer]

Back to original thread!

OK, an archaeology question of sorts. Would be interesting to know general thoughts on this as it has not really been discussed. (You might have to refer back to original photo if you have it or look at the Key site).

The writing on the hatch.

It seems to say

COWL BUTTON

TO BE LOCKED

SHUT BEFORE FLIGHT

Q - Was this applied in the factory - if so does not seems to be a clear stencil, more hand painted.

Q - Is it two separate phases 'Cowl button to be locked' and later 'shut before flight'.

Q - The writing seems to have been painted 'above/around' the grey modified latch plate.

so, if not factory

Q - was it applied at the MU when assembled when the modified hatch latch was fitted?

Q - if this was the case and it was painted over the roundel would it have been painted over before issue to 260Sqn. Also a note in white paint over white roundel so does not make it readable!

Trouble is it seems to have survived the best which seems to indicate it was not applied last though was applied with thick paint by brush?

Bit a quandary. No evidence on other P40's ever having this though not many show the modified hatch latch.

Bit of a head scratch!!!

regards

Mark

Probably a British field mod or depot level mod.
The dry cell battery is also different than the lead acid used on them from the factory or at least in US operations.
One reason for easy access in that compartment is the APU connector just below the electrical panel on the far side of the fus. This would be were an electrical external power source could be connected to for the the engine start.
I wonder if all starts were done with a battery cart or APU as the battery would also need to be used after take off to raise the landing gear as the hyd system pump was run by a electrical motor. A used up battery for a hard starting engine would be a problem to get the gear up in a scramble take off situation.